Technology
In order for students with Autism to fully access their curriculum they often need additional supports through technology. It does not necessarily mean expensive or electronic and can be as simple as providing post-it notes to help organize writing, visual supports to help with transitions and expectations, or checklist to help with on task behavior. Thinking of the triad of symptoms that define Autism: difficulties with communication; inflexible, repetitive or limited interests; and difficulty with social interaction, these symptoms can and do cause academic struggles that can be helped through technology.
The MDUSD ATAAC Department is a resource within Mt. Diablo Unified that supports all students with disabilities. They offer trials, consultations, Open Labs and staff development. Both the AAC and AT Specialists are knowledgeable about specific Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication to help students with ASD.
Resource Links for Assistive Technology Information
Equipment loan banks
The MDUSD ATAAC Department is a resource within Mt. Diablo Unified that supports all students with disabilities. They offer trials, consultations, Open Labs and staff development. Both the AAC and AT Specialists are knowledgeable about specific Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication to help students with ASD.
Resource Links for Assistive Technology Information
- WATI is the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative that provides exceptional manuals for considering technology from low tech to high tech.
- SET BC is Special Education Technology British Columbia. This site has numerous resources such as adapted ebooks, tutorials and articles on using technology in special education.
- HIAT is the High Incidence Assistive Technology for Montgomery County Maryland which provides a number of resources regarding Assistive Technology.
Equipment loan banks
- CforAT offers a loaner iPad program with a focus on communication apps. They have several AT experts and have open hours to trial equipment
- Ability Tools.org is California’s Assistive Technology lending library. Equipment is available for trials, but users may have to pay for shipping. People also post AT equipment for sale.
- Parents Helping Parents is a resource in San Jose that offers an on-line and in-house resource library focused on disabilities, on-going workshops and AT experts with open hours to trial equipment.
- The MDUSD ATAAC Team has a variety of equipment that sites can borrow for trials. They are located at Willow Creek Center - Room D-5.