Educators need to teach how each student learns. I love the quote above. We may need to supply technology into the classroom that will accommodate a student with disabilities. The student may need to learn with a computer or app to help them own their own learning like Alan November says in his book.
As a teacher, we need to use Universal Design and differentiated instruction to help students in the classroom. I learned about universal design in my past graduate classes. Here is a link for reference: http://udlguidelines.cast.org/.
These book sources are helpful to meet the needs of each individual child.
For my app practical, I was interested in learning about apps to help teach students in the classroom who have Autism. I currently have students in my toddler/preschool class that I think are on the autism spectrum. We have to see what red flags students have and talk to the parents. Students receive early intervention in the classroom but a lot of parents are in denial that there is anything about their child that needs to be evaluated. I wanted to know more about how to use technology apps in the classroom and research about autism. I also have a friend who has a child who is on the autism spectrum. I want to pass this information on to parents and other educators. My classroom problem is I wanted to find out how to use assistive technology and apps for students with Autism. I also wanted to know about the different types of Autism: I found this youtube video on how to use a Robot for assistive technology and it is interesting how it helps Milo to focus.
Then I researched a few more videos on youtube:
Then I researched a few more videos on youtube:
Here is a screenshot of a website I found on the types of Autism:
"Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder characterized by impairment in reciprocal social interaction, impairment in communication, and the presence of repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities. The onset of symptoms is typically before the age of 3 years. The severity of impairment in the given domains as well as the pattern of impairments varies from individual to individual; that is why diagnosticians refer to a “spectrum” of disability" https://asatonline.org/for-parents/what-is-autism/
Students with Autism can be successful in life
Temple Grandin was an author who was successful with Autism
https://www.ted.com/talks/temple_grandin_the_world_needs_all_kinds_of_minds?language=en
Book sources on Temple Grandin:
I also found this article online about the man with Autism that wrote a children's book.
The book is called Light it up In Blue.
There are many books to educate children on Autism
Research: What is Autism?
The Autism speaks website below is great for parent and teacher information.
FAQ | Autism Speaks |
Learn about the different types of autism spectrum disorders, how autism affects individuals and families and more with these frequently asked questions. A: Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.
This blog I found also provides a lot of useful information about autism:
Autism: What It Is and What It Isn't
Autism is frightening. It brings to mind a child that not only has physical or cognitive disabilities but also cannot relate to and join normal society. There is a tremendous lack of understanding about the ASD spectrum which leads to compounding the fears of the average parent.
I found in my research that the 6 tips of teaching children with Autism are: list the steps, then provide link: https://www.teachforamerica.org/stories/6-tips-for-teaching-students-with-autism
This article is interesting:
Boards help nonverbal students communicate during recess
A way for nonverbal students to communicate with others during recess is available at numerous local elementary schools. Amelia Abell, a special education teacher at Morningside Elementary School, said the school received a grant from the Elizabethtown Education Foundation for a communication board, which was installed earlier this school year.
I also wanted to know, as a teacher, what visual schedules students with Autism would use and found these:
How to use visual cues from YouTube:
Using visuals depends on child challenges. Visual schedules or using visuals helps with receptive language. The child can also use a choice chart. Pictures can be used for daily transitions and for daily routines such as for the sequence to get ready in the morning.
More information on visual cues can be observed through these videos
Here is a guide on how to use visual cues for parents.
This was an interesting article on how Christmas lights influenced an Autistic child.
https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/12/10/holiday-lights-inspire-nonverbal-child-with-autism-to-speak-for-1st-time?fbclid=IwAR2VqseIA3Q91VOaU7uOjkzoS_hOkZvQHHUENb62jsa0F5A-LJiyMw_tFWI
Pictures of Autism books I researched at the Library and on amazon for Parents and Teachers:
Diagnostic books
I looked up some links on autism apps.
http://blog.able2learn.com/2017/06/8-expert-recommended-autism-apps-for-children-on-the-autism-spectrum/
https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/best-apps-for-kids-with-autism
Then I looked on youtube.
I played around in the google play store and found Ostimo: Ostimo is used for speech therapy on mobile devices.(https://otsimo.com/en/speech-blubs-otsimo-speech-therapy/)
Otsimo | Special Education for Special Children | Autism, Down Syndrome ...
Children with autism were taught 2 years intensive ABA therapy, 90% of them had important development to get accepted by public schools. LOVAAS, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3-9. MMCEACHIN, J. J., SMITH, T.
screenshots:Why you should choose Otsimo | Special Education | Otsimo
There are hundreds of apps are available on both of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Why you should choose the Otsimo | Special Education? Because you deserve the best. In this topic, you can read the review of Otsimo | Special Education.
Here is another app I tried which helps students with speech.
Speech blurbs help the child learn new sounds and words.
www.speechblubs.com/
Speech Blubs: Language Therapy - Apps on Google Play
FEATURED IN** Forbes, Thrive Magazine, Autism Parenting, Brisbane Kids, Speech Chick Therapy, Beautiful Speech Life, The Speech Teacher. Awarded the Social Impact award & supported by Facebook Start Programme. Speech Blubs is a speech therapy app designed to help your child learn new sounds and practice speaking in a stimulating, educational environment.
There were many questions on the app to ask parents on pragmatics, talking, comprehension and hearing. Here is a screen shot of each one.
The apps assesses if the child understands sounds for the letter P, B and H with the screenshot down below.
When I used my sample child Ava on the assessment her speech is not meeting the milestones of her age. The screen shot is below.
The screenshot below shows pragmatics or social communication. It compared below children of her age if they can use body language emotions, eye contact and gestures in their social situations.
Then the apps tests on hearing as children need to hear speech clearly.
This is the final result of the milestones of where Ava is with using the assessment tool.
Then it sends a pdf link of your child's report in an email if you are a parent with an email
Tips and Tricks on using speech blurbs
Activities for different sounds.
Some examples of the early sounds are posted above from some examples on youtube as I cannot make a video very easily from my phone app.
Other websites:
A few other visual schedule links are:
One app I was interested in but could not try due to not having an apple phone during my research was:
There is an article from the Young Child Magazine, May 2010 called, "Implementing Visual Cues For Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Classmates."This article talks about how to use visual cues with scripts, instruction cards and how to form an inclusive play group throughout the day with including children with Autism spectrum disorder. The article also has tips and reminders about using visual cues.
Besides Autism, Another Assistive technology topic I would want to learn more about is how to help a deaf student in the classroom. I met a deaf woman at Dunkin Donuts with my mom and during the encounter, we had to write things down on a piece of paper to communicate with her. I wanted to know more about what kind of apps I could use in the classroom for deaf students. I looked up "Talk to Me" and "Story Sign" apps and put them on my phone to try out. I would want to incorporate sign language in my classrooms such as using youtube for toddlers to learn manners or it could even be used in preschool or Kindergarten. Incorporating assistive technology for deaf students, as well as other students with disabilities, is important in order to be inclusive of all students in a classroom.
Book Sources I found for Deaf children are:
My favorite quote about students with learning challenges is:
Assistive technology is important for students with learning Challenges. Assistive technologies help them with their own learning needs. I learned through my research about many sources I can refer back to in my teaching to be inclusive to these types of students.
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