According to the Assistive Technology Industry Association, Assistive Technology (AT) is “any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.”
The term covers an extremely broad range of items, from low-tech things like weighted pens to more high-tech equipment such as mouth-controlled wheelchairs. Home/vehicle modifications often fit under the umbrella of assistive technology, too.
“Adaptive technology” refers to assistive technology designed specifically for people with disabilities (things people without disabilities would probably not have a reason to use). For example, a braille printer would be a form of adaptive technology.
Go through your insurance. Contact your child’s Care Coordinator by calling the number on the back of their insurance card and ask to speak with their Care Coordinator. If they don’t have one, ask to be set up with one. The Care Coordinator will walk you through the process, which will most likely include getting a letter of necessity from your child’s doctor explaining what their medical diagnoses are and why they would benefit from the requested device.
Contact your DDDS Community Navigator! Sometimes there are funds available to purchase household items. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, your Community Navigator might be able to help.
Visit your local Goodwill - many Goodwill locations will carry adaptive devices. There is even a warehouse store in New Jersey that is totally dedicated to home medical equipment and you can also order online! Visit the Goodwill home Medical Equipment store here!
Contact DATI – they have an exchange program where you can donate assistive items you no longer use or need and can barrow as needs change.
EasterSeals has a Resource and Technology Demonstration Center to test out different products. They also have a loan program to help finance assistive technology items.
Email Mary Anne Terzaghi, Meadowood's Assistive Technology Coordinator with any questions
10 AFTER SCHOOL/WEEKEND IDEAS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AT HOME:
After school and weekends are often a time for students to unwind from a hectic school day. It can also be a chance to work on some independent leisure activities in the home. Setting up leisure activities that your child can do independently can have a dramatic impact on both the child and the family as a whole. Most items listed can be purchased on Amazon or reach out to maryanne.terzaghi@redclay.k12.de.us for more information and funding sources.
1. Use a Powerlink box to:
turn on/off music with a radio/CD player;
Turn a fan on/off;
Turn on/off lights;
Turn on a mixer/blender/food processor to help with cooking activities.
2. Turn on a toy with a switch (can be a switch adaptive toy or use a battery interrupter, which is a cheaper alternative to purchasing switch adaptive toys)
3. Record messages on a Step-by-Step to comment on a TV show, sporting event or family discussion.
4. Spin the wheel to choose an outfit for the day (Velcro pictures of various outfits on a spinning wheel or use a switch adaptive All Turn It Spinner)
5. Use a switch adapted pourer to help with planting or gardening.
6. Use a switch adapted pourer to help cook dinner or a special dessert.
7. Use an AAC device or record messages on a Step-by-Step to help decide dinner options or direct others to follow a recipe
8. Use an AAC device or record messages on a Step-by-Step voice output to decide what TV show, movie or music to put on.
9. Use an Able Net Hitch 2 Switch Interface to control a laptop or Chromebook with a switch. Students can play games on subscription websites like HelpKidzLearn.com or read books and listen to music on free websites like Tar Heel Game Play.
10. Use an AAC device or record messages on a Step-by-Step voice output to direct your smart home devices (Alexa, Siri or Google) to play music, read a book, play notifications, etc.
Images of items:
Step-by-Step Communicator- by AbleNet & Amazon
Battery Interrupter (various sizes for each battery type) - Amazon
All Turn It Spinner- by AbleNet & Amazon
Switch Adaptive Bubble Machine- by LDK Adaptive Toys & Amazon
Switch- LDK Adaptive Toys, AbleNet & Amazon
Switch activating pourer- Enabling Devices
Powerlink- Use a switch to control any household item that is electrical. Must use a switch with it. - AbleNet & Amazon.
Hitch 2 Switch Interface- Plugs into a computer/Chromebook's USB port, just connect a switch & it acts like a mouse. - AbleNet & Amazon
FAMILY GAME NIGHT
Finding ways to include your child in events with his/her siblings can connect the family together and help to bring them all closer together. Include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or friends and make it a standing date on the calendar! Family game night can help your child learn how to count, follow rules, communicate with others, conversation skills, turn taking, cooperation & working together skills, understanding humor, good sportsmanship, and decision making. Some game ideas: Connect 4, Pop the Pig, Don’t Break the Ice, Shark Bite, Ants in the Pants, Crocodile Dentist, Pop up Pirate, Jumping Jack, Zingo & ThinkFun Roll & Play Board Game
If your child needs modifications to participate in family game night, see some ideas below:
Use a pourer to roll the dice for a board game (use one from the kitchen or a switch activated pourer if a child needs more assistance).
Use a large foam dice instead of small dice that come with the game
Modify a spin wheel to allow your child to:
Select the person whose turn is next (tape names/pictures of people on a wheel)
Tape the cards of the game onto a wheel to make a choice if it's difficult to pick up cards
Use the numbers on a spin wheel to select the number of spaces to move
Tape colors on the spin wheel to make a choice
If you have a switch adaptive spin wheel use the ideas from above.
Purchase a card holder or make one from cardboard, Legos, duct tape, pool noodle, egg carton, etc.
Use larger household items to replace game pieces for counting that might be small.
Use an AAC device or step by step voice output to select colors, numbers, direct others, comment & participate.
Core words are POWER words that can help your child communicate. Core words help move children beyond requesting to communicate needs, make comments, ask questions, interact with others, talk about feelings and more. 85% of what we say is communicated with only 200 basic words- we call these our “core words”. Core words are the most commonly used words in our everyday spoken communication. Core (words) are consistent across place, topic and cognitive ability.
Characteristics of Core Vocabulary
Limited set of highly useful words
Words apply across settings
Vocabulary is made up primarily of pronouns, verbs, descriptors, and prepositions
Very few nouns are included in a core vocabulary
Consistent location of vocabulary
All Meadowood classrooms use core vocabulary words daily and have large and small core boards available to all students. Here is a copy of a core board for home so parents can try to use these same core words when speaking to their child at home:
Aided Language Stimulation is an intervention strategy used to teach an individual who uses AAC (Augmentative-Alternative Communication) how to use their individualized communication system through modeling. Parents talk to their babies and bombard them with language and there is no expectation for output. For an individual who uses AAC, this should be the same. An AAC user benefits from learning in the same way by seeing how this NEW way of communicating works by watching others use the same system.
Watch this video that explains Aided Language Stimulation:
Basic Steps for Aided Language Stimulation/Modeling:
1. Make sure you have the child’s attention.
2. Create a message using the child’s AAC device while repeating the message verbally. If the child is using a communication board or book, point to the icon as you are verbally saying the word.
3. Ask the child a follow up question to keep the communication going.
Try to model different types of language functions, such as:
Directives (Example: Put socks on.)
Sharing information (Example: I read a book.)
Making comments (Example: That’s great!)
Asking questions (Example: How are you today?)
Greetings (Example: Hello there!, See you later, Have a good afternoon )
Here are some examples of how to use Aided Language Stimulation at home:
