Assistive technology act as “enablers or helpers”- ranges from simple to high-tech devices, these play a crucial role in supporting children with exceptional needs to grow and learn despite their condition. Having said that, it will be best that assistive tools are applicable and can be used in all settings. This article will discuss a snapshot of the different assistive technology that can best work either in school, at home, or in the workplace.
SENSORY
· Seat cushion: can assist children with sensory and attention processing issues. It provides simulation to facilitate focus with minimal to zero movements.
· Noise-cancelling headphones: helps block noise in the environment to facilitate learning and focus.
· Fidgets: provide extra stimulation to facilitate focus
· Graphic organizers : help in organizing the child’s thoughts or map out ideas in a clear logical way.
· Weighted blankets or toys: provides pressure to the body to help facilitate focus.
FINE MOTOR
· Adaptive scissors: Aids children with limited finger movement or hand weakness.
· Chewy necklace- helps build up jaw strength
· Kneaded erasers: Assists in writing by requiring less strength when erasing things.
SOCIAL SKILLS
· Social stories: help describe what is expected to happen during an activity, routine, or social situation and what are the appropriate behavior expected from them.
· Feelings posters: help children in expressing their emotions by pointing to an image that best represents how they feel at that moment.
COMMUNICATION
· Digital text: facilitates learning by allowing the child to visually read & listen to material on a computer or tablet.
ACC devices: devices or tools that aid communication between the teacher and the student. It comes in different types:
*Low technology devices or systems visual representation which is a low cost easy to use like binders, folders, pictures which are used to convey a message, lesson, and instructions.
* Mid-technology devices or systems are simple battery-operated items like projectors, voice recorders.
*High technology devices or systems are more complex and of higher cost such as computers, adaptive hardware, and keyboards to facilitate learning and communication.
· Speech generating devices: a pre-recorded touchpad with words and phrases wherein the child will be able to use to express his/her thoughts.
Using different types of assistive technology is important as well as choosing the ones which are applicable to all setting-home and school will be a great help in the continuum of your child’s journey as it fosters consistency. Once the consistency is developed, reflexes are trained and programmed on how to act in a specific situation.
Do you need assistance with your child’s NDIS plan? Choose to be Plan Managed today and access both NDIS registered and non-registered service providers. Have your say, choose the Yogi Care way.
