During my special education student teaching I have had the opportunity to work with

several students who use assistive technology and I have learned ways that assistive technology
can help students with disabilities leverage their strengths and work through difficulties they are
experiencing in learning. There is a kindergartener that uses technology in a variety of ways to
help with not only his everyday life, but with his educational needs as well; which in turns
provides him with more independence in life and at school. Technology is a great resource used
at Lolo School to assist student with learning disabilities. The purpose of these technology tools
is to help students with difficulties reach their full potential, while providing them with
independence.
One of the Kindergarteners I have had the opportunity to work with and observe has
little to no verbal language. He does engage in some sign language, but this is still being worked
on yet isnt mastered. In order to allow him to express himself and his knowledge he has an IPad
that he uses as his voice or way of verbal communication. An app called Proloquo2Go, has been
downloaded to his IPad that speaks for him, and allows him to communicate what he wants to
say. It has varies components such as greetings, calendar, people, and talking. Through this app
he is able to put his feelings and thoughts together and share them with his peers and teachers.
This students IPad is with him at all times, and travels in between all the rooms. All the teachers
have taken the time to become familiar and knowledge with the technology to insure that its
being used to its full advantage. I feel this technology helps the student fit in with classroom
learning and routines, enables him to ask for help and express himself, and strengthens the skills
being developed in Kindergarten.
As I started looking closer into student that use assistive technology I came to a road
bump and needed to figure out what exactly classified as assistive technology. As I did more
research and talked with my cooperating teacher I realized that assistive technology is defined as
any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf,
modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities
of children with disabilities. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically
implanted, or the replacement of such device. (Authority 20 U.S.C. 1401(1)). After coming to
this realization I started to observe and learn more about a second grade student who uses
assistive technology.
There is a second grade student with multiple disabilities that include Septo-Optic
Dysplasia, low muscle tone, scoliosis, and profound motor delays. This student is dependent
upon others for mobility and most position changes. His gross motor skills are calculated to be
below one years of age, and without assistance this student would be unable to participate in age
equivalent school curriculum. In order to help this student work towards and meet his
individualized goals and objects he has uses many tools throughout the say. These tools consist
of an indoor therapy swing, communication button devices, assistance with toileting and feeding,
wheel chair, among many others. All of these tools help this student work towards and meet his
individualized goals and objectives.
During my special education student teaching experience I have learned a lot about
assistive technology, but I feel I will continue to learn about it depending on what students I have
in my room each year. There are always new innovations and things to learn, but the most
important thing is to make sure it is serving a purpose to help a student meet their full academic
potential, while still allowing them independence.