Assistive Technology With MIU IV

Who needs an Assistive Technology referral?

Students who have an IEP and live/attend a school district in Butler, Mercer or Lawrence county

AND

at least one of the following areas of need:

• writing
• reading
• vision
• communication
• computer access
• physical
• cognitive
• fine motor issues with writing/holding school items

Who should participate in the Assistive Technology consultation?

Teaching staff, caregivers/parents or therapist may request an AT Referral due to needs observed.

Who fills out the AT referral?

The LEA will fill out the AT Referral electronic form. A PTE/PTRE is not required for a referral.

AT tools need to be returned if:

1. Student moves out of Butler/Mercer/Lawrence county area.

2. Student graduates from school-age programming (graduates).

DEVICE PLACEMENT

• adapted keyboard/mouse
• software programs or apps to complete reading/writing assignments
• digital books with a read aloud function
• reading pen
• ipad for needs related to reading/writing/vision/communication
• communication device
• large screen Chromebook for vision needs
• magnification devices
• switches to activate a toy or functional item
• adapted toy
• adapted functional items (ie scissors, pouring cups)
• Environmental Control Unit (ECU) to activate classroom items (ie turn on a blender or lights)

INITIAL TRAINING (staff and/or family training)

TROUBLESHOOTING

MORE TRAINING (new staff or staff changes)

TEAM CONSULTATION

When will the AT referral get started?

The AT Consultant will receive your referral and reach out to the contact person within 1 week. Your assigned AT Consultant will schedule requested trainings and referrals at their earliest convenience.

When will we get the AT tools for the student?

AT tools take time to order, set up and deliver. Please allow for 4-6 weeks for this process.

Where can the consultation take place?

• Your elementary, middle or high school
• Student home (if Instruction in the Home)
• Virtual options are available for convenience (trainings and meetings)

When adding AT information to the IEP, the following suggestions may be considered:

2. Present Levels of Academic Achievement- Write about how the students uses the AT tools to gain access to the curriculum.

• Communication Device Example: X uses a high tech communication device with touch access to communicate with his peers and teachers. The staff model use of the language on the device and make sure that is ready and available for use. X is gaining more language and functional communication skills with the device including asking for a break, talking about his feelings and ordering his school lunch from the cafeteria staff.
• Reading/Writing Tool Example: X continues to use the features of text to speech for reading digital textbooks. This feature is used during ELA class and available on the school device. The student also utilizes speech to text feature when writing in her daily journal which is sent to the teacher via Google Classroom. The student uses the AT tool in order to access reading and writing within the classroom.
• Vision Tool Example: X uses a handheld magnifier when given notecards or handouts within the classroom. The student uses the ipad to access digital books with text to speech feature. Digital highlighting is used as the words are read aloud.

AT Tools:

• Single message voice output device
• Dual message voice output device
• Sequential message voice output device
• Random message voice output device
• Random spinning choice device

• Environmental control unit (ECU)
• Adapted toy
• Adapted pouring cups
• Adapted battery scissors
• Battery interrupter
• Switches: pressure switch, round button switch, movement sensor switch, proximity sensor switch, tilt switch, pneumatic switch (activated by air compressed), thumb switch, textured (shape= oval, square, circle) switch, joystick switch, adjustable angle switch
• Mid-tech multilevel communication device with (insert # here) grid size paper boards

• High-tech communication device with eye tracking access method
• High-tech communication device with touch access method
• Reading pen
• Software with text to speech, speech to text, word prediction, dictionary, etc. (list the features student uses)
• Accessories: wheelchair mount, table mount, floor mount, keyguard, communication app or communication software (include vocab type/grid size)

3. Specially Designed Instruction:

The student is using AT tools (for communication/vision/reading/writing/computer access) in order to complete academic assignments and to access the curriculum.

4. Supports to School Personnel:

AT Consultation consists of a yearly check-in survey and staff may request (at any time) further training, help with implementation, troubleshooting or revision of AT tools in use.

PATTAN AT in the IEP:

https://www.pattan.net/Assistive-Technology/AT-Decision-Making/AT-in-the-IEP

1. DETERMINE NEED: The IEP Team members determine the need for Assistive Technology device/consultation.

2. REFERRAL SUBMITTED: The LEA completes the AT referral form. The IEP and current evaluation report will need to be uploaded to the referral form. PTE NOT NEEDED.

3. REFERRAL RECEIVED: The AT Consultant receives the referral from IU secretary (based on assigned districts).

4. INITIAL CONTACT: The AT Consultant will email or call the contact person(someone who works directly with the student on a regular basis) indicated on referral form to provide dates to complete the AT process.

5. DATES SET: The contact person determines date with IEP team members then notifies AT consultant in a timely manner.

6. OBSERVATION/CONSULTATION: The AT Consultant will observe the student in various natural educational/therapy environments to identify needs and barriers.

7. SETT MEETING COMPLETED: (45 min to an hour) The contact person must provide 2 or more IEP team members at the SETT meeting. (The SETT meeting participants should include the teachers, therapists, LEA, parents, and AT consultant)

8. DECISION MAKING: The IEP team determines assistive technology trials/strategies to put in place for the student.

9. ACTION PLAN: The team creates an action plan for placement, implementation, training, and data collection.

10. IEP INFORMATION: The AT consultant provides suggestions and guidance for IEP documentation to include AT. (Please see FAQ for more detail)

1. DEVICE TRIALS: The AT consultant provides the team with the device and initial training as well as reviews the MIU IV AT Guidelines.

2. FOLLOW-UP: 3 and 6 week check-in dates are scheduled for team members to communicate regarding device usage and need for additional training/support.

*Once a device has been placed the IEP team takes on responsibility for continued implementation, usage and request for additional training and support.

1. Is a PTE/PTRE needed for an AT referral? No

2. What is the cost of an AT referral? There is no cost for a referral for school districts within the IU4 area.

3. Who repairs the devices? Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV through AT consultant

4. Who pays to repair? Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV through AT consultant

5. Who fills out the AT referral online form? The LEA upon the recommendation of IEP team members.

6. Who implements the devices? The IEP team members.

7. Should the device be sent home? Ultimately that is up to the IEP team to determine. In the case of an AAC device, the child should ALWAYS have access to communication across ALL environments including home. Other complex situations will be discussed on a case by case basis.

8. How often should we revisit AT? At least yearly when reviewing the considerations page, but also anytime a need arises the team can reach out to the AT consultant and request additional support.

9. Should you invite the AT Consultant to the IEP meeting? It is not necessary unless there are current AT-related concerns.

10. Does the AT consultant write in the IEP or Evaluation Report? No, they may provide guidance if the IEP team is unsure how to include AT in the report.

11. How is AT indicated in the IEP? Special Considerations, embedded in the Present Educational Levels, Specially Designed Instruction

12. How should Intermediate Unit AT supports be indicated in the IEP? Supports for School Personnel for a minimum of 1 time per year

13. Will the AT consultant provide a yearly IEP update? No, they may provide guidance if the IEP team is unsure how to include AT in the report.

14. Does an AT referral need completed for a student who has transferred into the district and is already utilizing AT? Yes

15. My student is graduating. Does the device go with them? No, the device remains the property of the IU and needs to be returned. Transition planning should include exploring options for acquiring a device for post-graduation, if warranted.

16. My student is moving out of our school district. Does the device go with them? Yes, if they will be attending a school within Butler, Lawrence, Mercer County. No, if moving out of our IU area (the new IU AT Consultant will take over). Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV can assist with the transition.