Assistive Technology for Sensory Difficulties
Friday, February 10, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Students with sensory difficulties, like those with autism, ADHD, and other diagnoses, may have trouble filtering out background noise, sitting under bright lights, show tactile defensiveness, and much more. This workshop will include information about resources such as fidgets, alternative seating, reading tools, auditory devices, items for sensory stimulation, and sensory apps. Join us for a fun, informative session and leave with resources galore!
Reading and Writing Supports for Middle and High School
Friday, February 24, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Is your middle or high schooler struggling with reading, writing, or both? If so, please join us for an informative presentation that will include helpful technology tools including iOS apps, Google Chrome Extensions, websites, and more!
Next Month:
FREE Visual Supports:
What are visual supports? A visual support refers to using a picture or other visual item to communicate with a child who has difficulty understanding or using language. Visual supports can be photographs, drawings, objects, written words, or lists. Research has shown that visual supports work well as a way to communicate. Here are some visual support resources:
Accessible Chef is a collection of free visual recipes and other resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with disabilities at home or in a special education classroom.
ConnectAbility.Ca has templates to create free visual supports for your child or client.
do2Learn has free printable picture cards with subjects like self-help, medical care, social, safety, home, school, etc.
Say It with Symbols is a site that has tons sources for free and low-cost communication boards, picture symbols and visuals for adults.
Visual Schedule Template will help your young learner stay on track each day! With a customizable template, you can create a unique schedule that works for your family! This worksheet is a great way to get learners involved in the process of establishing a daily routine and granting them the independence to see it through.
Featured Apps
Conversation Therapy: Work more effectively toward your speech therapy goals. Help people who have had a stroke, live with autism, or have a speech or language impairment get talking with an app that sparks conversation. The best way to improve talking is by talking! Engage in real-life discussions with pictures and questions that get people talking to practice communication strategies. (iOS, Android; Free trial/$24.99)
MYDys: An application to instantly read, translate and listen to all types of texts. Doing homework, reading a restaurant menu, understanding a sign at the museum...MYDys by FACIL’iti makes it easy to read all types of texts, everywhere, from a simple photo. (Currently available on iOS. Android version coming soon! Free/IAP $2.99/$5.99)
SEMBL: Every design is a puzzle, and every game is unique. Paint, cut, punch, stencil, and spin your way to the perfect design. Master 32 levels and over 190 puzzles at your own pace in the Journey, or race the clock in Challenge mode. This app is great for critical thinking. (iOS, Free/$1.99 to remove ads)
Helpful Safety Product
If I Need Help provides special needs safety products and a system to help reunite you with your loved ones in the event that they wander or have issues communicating in a critical situation. If you have a loved one who has autism, Down syndrome, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, or other issues with disorientation, they can get lost more easily and have more problems communicating to any bystanders that they need help. The If I Need Help system mitigates the risks to your loved one by bypassing communication barriers. The If I Need Help system accomplishes this through several steps:
- A free online membership
- A profile for your loved one on their special needs registry
- A confidential Emergency question-and-answer section that can be printed or emailed in an emergency
- A QR-code enabled ID tag that can be worn or fastened to your loved one’s clothing
When you or your loved one is discovered lost or needing help, any finder can notice the QR code tag, scan it, and instantly have access to the information you have chosen to include in your profile, including contact information, one’s name and condition, and anything else relevant to an emergency.
Websites
Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers are an illustration of your thoughts on paper. They can help you brainstorm, organize, and visualize your ideas. Click on a graphic organizer to download a PDF of it. Once you’ve downloaded an organizer, type in your comments and print it out. Each graphic organizer includes teaching notes with lessons and tips on how to use graphic organizers in the classroom.
Typing Club is a free online keyboarding program that has 685 progressive lessons. If you prefer to go ad-free, there is a premium paid option.
