Modern technology has made a huge difference for many people with disabilities. The most successful schools for kids with special needs are those that recognize the valuable role that assistive technology can play and who use it to help their students communicate and learn better, allowing them to achieve greater independence and reach their full potential.
What do we mean by assistive technology?
Assistive technology is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of tools and devices. What they have in common is that they help people with physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, neurodivergence, mental illness or emotional problems function better in everyday society. They may help with basic safety, communication, social interaction, academics, organization, managing sensory issues and other activities of daily living. Different technologies aid different areas of learning.
Assistive technology in schools for kids with disabilities
Schools for kids with disabilities may use assistive technology in a variety of ways. Read and Write assistive technology may include word prediction when writing, text-to-speech read aloud and speech-to-text dictation and can help children who struggle with literacy. Digital calendars, watches with alarms and similar devices are useful for those who find organization difficult.
Low-tech assistive technology may not even need electricity. Picture boards, weighted blankets or clothing, sensory toys, noise-cancelling headphones or anti-anxiety devices such as stress balls are popular for children with autism who need help communicating or who have sensory issues that need to be managed.
Many children with autism and intellectual disabilities benefit from being able to engage different senses when learning, such as by adding a tactile element, or using videos or music. These can also be beneficial for children with physical disabilities, including visual or hearing impairments.
Not all assistive technology needs to be designed specifically for children with disabilities. There are various forms of educational software aimed at helping teachers and students share resources and communicate more effectively that can be particularly useful in schools for kids with special needs. Even having a dedicated e-mail address can be helpful.
How assistive technology helps children in schools for kids with special needs
Many children with learning disabilities, autism and similar challenges struggle to communicate, have problems with functional skills, become overstimulated in a classroom environment, find organizing their time and resources challenging, and may not understand the nuances of social interaction. All of this can make school a place of anxiousness and distress that is then reflected in their behaviour and performance. Assistive technology can help them compensate for the areas where they have difficulties while allowing them to use their unique strengths, causing them to become more engaged in the classroom, better understand the material and feel more independent and in control of their own learning experience.
There are a variety of ways that assistive technology can be used to improve the school experience of children with learning difficulties and other disabilities. By being flexible and creative, you can reduce stress and anxiety, provide alternative forms of communication and methods of learning, and ensure all children feel like a valued part of the classroom.