Question:

My 10 year old would dearly love to have a remote control for the television that she could use. She has cerebral palsy, and her fine motor coordination is effected. She uses the computer with a regular keyboard. We turned off the key repeat and she uses the accessibility option, “Sticky Keys” so that she can perform two key commands and make capital letters using one finger. However, she is a mess with the TV Remote, the buttons are just too close together. Do you know of any “adapted” TV remotes?

Thanks, from a family in San Ramon.

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Question:

Can you please tell me how to introduce a communication device to a preschooler that has had no previous experience with any assistive technology?

Preschool Teacher

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Question:

My child just started fourth grade and he is already having problems keeping up with his class. The school has a computer lab and I think assistive technology might help him. How can I get assistive technology for my child?

Concerned Parent from Southern California

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Question:


We are just developing our technology resources for students with disabilities and are hoping to find a source for things we might try with students before we purchase. Do you have any ideas for us?

Technology Coordinator
Unified School District, California

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Question:

Where can I find a donated computer or purchase one used?

-from a parent in Oakland

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Question:
Where can I find assistive technology information in Spanish?

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Question:
My eight year old grandson has cerebral palsy I want to get him a toy for Christmas that he can use with his Big Red switch but the switch toys all look so boring. Do you know where I can get a really fun toy that is switch operated?

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Question:
My son is five years old and has cerebral palsy. He uses a "SwitchClick" to operate programs on our computer. I've read that there is a way to use Microsoft PowerPoint to make a "talking book". Do you know anything about this?

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Question:

We have a 7th grade boy who has returned home following traumatic brain injury last year. His rehabilitation is coming along. He is repeating more and more words and phrases but has no spontaneous speech, yet. It has been my experience that this is often the situation.

We are looking for ideas of interesting software for boys his age. He will have a joystick and the Biggy Cursor software from R.J. Cooper. I ordered CONCENTRATE! On Words and Concepts from Laureate. It is instructional, certainly, but not a highly motivating piece of software. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks, Betty

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Question:

I've been all over the net looking for this information. Since computing skills have become such a part of the curriculum in the schools I work at, we're trying to figure out WHEN is the time to introduce keyboarding skills such as touch-typing?

Roberta, Teacher, sixth grade

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Question:

We just got new computers in our special day class and some of my students don't seem to understand how to use the mouse. Are there special mouse devices I could get to make it easier for them?

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Question:

Hello! Dru and Brian came to our school and did an onsite evaluation for my son. They recommended Co:Writer and Write:OutLoud for him. The school bought the software and has taught it to my son, in the resource room. Now I need ideas on asking the school to integrate my son's the use of this program day to day. I am afraid that there is no bridge between his learning it in a special classroom and actually using it as a classroom tool. I plan to get a copy of it for home so we can use it to complete writing assignments. Thank you!

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Question:I have a 9th grader with ADHD who is reading at a 1st grade level but he seems to understand information at his grade level. I would like to know what your suggestions are: Do we teach functional words? Try and teach him to read through phonics? What type of Assistive Technology would be beneficial?
Thanks, Kristin
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Question:

A new source for funding augmentative communication devices: exciting information from the 2002 Technology and Persons with Disablities Conference.

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Question:

I was told that my child needed to have a picture schedule and I'm not sure where to start?

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Question:

There were two questions related to augmentative communication assessment this month:

Question 1

I work with a 13-year-old girl with very limited speech. She is being evaluated by our Orthopedically Handicapped program for an Assistive Technology Device. She has successfully used a DigiVox2 in the past. I'd like her to use a device where she can generate her own language instead of just what we, the staff, program for her. What devices are there out there that we could look into for her?

Question 2

What type of communication evaluation would be appropriate for 16-year-old non-communicative student and by what type of specialist?

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Question:

I attended one of your assistive technology training last year and have lost that great list of resources; can you email it to me? Thanks so much,

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Question:

“E-Tex” was recommended for my son who has a learning disability. What is it and where do I get it?

Please help, a concerned parent.

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Question:

So often, my district gets into a situation where a family wants their child to have a laptop computer even after an AlphaSmart keyboard computer or another accommodation has been considered and found to be appropriate by the other members of the IEP team. Do you have any criteria that specifically addresses this issue, such as readiness markers like student’s age or motoric abilities, or amount of written language student needs to produce?

Submitted by: Assistive Technology Specialist, SELPA

This question correlates with another.....

I’ve read about a federal law that promotes the use of assistive technology by students in special education. My son has mild cerebral palsy with fine motor coordination problems that make it difficult, slow, and tiring for him to write. Can I require the school to pay for any technology that I think might be helpful?

Submitted by: A Concerned Parent

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Question:

Hi, my son is 11, has severe dyslexia, writes at 1.5 grade level, and has articulation problems.  The school district will provide Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) for home and school use and I don't know where to begin...

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Question:

It's IEP  season and I'm running out of ideas for objectives.  I have several  students who use augmentative or alternative communication systems and  I want objectives to increase student to student interactions in their  general education classes.    

Speech and Language Specialist,  Elementary School

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Question:

I have a student in the sixth grade who has learning disabilities and is struggling with reading and writing. I have some ideas for his reading and writing needs but his organizational skills are really causing problems... he loses assignments, pencils and he has paper everywhere ! Any suggestions?

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Question:

My district wants to create an assistive technology team; can you help?

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