What Is Assistive Technology (AT)?
Speech and communication assistive technologies are designed to assist those with hearing, voice, speech, or language disorders. An assistive device refers to any device that is able to help a person hear or understand what is being said more clearly. Assistive devices can also help a person express their thoughts more clearly. AT can assist in a child’s learning and can be used in addition to well-designed instruction. AT can help a child work more quickly and accurately and can allow students to set and meet high goals for themselves. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/assistive-devices-people-hearing-voice-speech-or-language-disorders What Assistive Devices …show more content…
AT can also be used in the classroom setting to help support a variety of learners. There are a wide range of devices that can be considered assistive technology. However, many times assistive technology is not implemented correctly or is not used because of the lack of professional development for training for teachers, parents, and students. The proper implementation of assistive technology in the classroom to assist students in tasks they otherwise might not able to compete requires training for the student and teachers. If teachers are not trained properly then assistive technology may not be implemented properly, or may not be implemented at all. AT can best be utilized when there is consistent and appropriate training across the board; in the school and home setting. AT is most successful when teachers, parents, and students have the proper training and have positive attitudes toward using assistive technology …show more content…
Assistive technologies are required to be provided if put in the students Individualized Education Plan (IEP). When AT is identified in the student’s IEP, then the AT, as well as the training and the use of it, must be provided by the public agency at no cost to the parents. As a general rule, funding for high-tech devices can come through the school system, the insurance provider, or civic organizations.
https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/who-pays-for-assistive-technology-parents-or-schools