Working with special needs learners in inclusive classrooms requires modifications and planning. This includes students with ADHD, auditory disabilities, and mild learning disabilities. For students with ADHD, assistive technologies like talking keyboards and word prediction programs can help build independence. Auditory disabilities are addressed through technologies like FM systems, loops, and captioning, as well as classroom adaptations. Students with mild learning disabilities benefit from extra time, organization tools, and note-taking assistance using low- and high-tech solutions. Teachers must understand students' needs and utilize appropriate modifications and technologies.
1. Working with Special Needs Learners Inclusion of special needs learners in the general classroom requires modifications and planning We will look at approaches and assistive technologies for students with ADHD, auditory disabilities and mild learning disabilities
8. Assistive Technology for ADHD Building self-reliance and increasing independent work habits Assistive Technology tools: Talking computer keyboards Word prediction Screen magnifiers Talking computer software E-Dictionary2 2. http://www.examiner.com/k-12-education-in-west-palm-beach/assistive-technology-the-classroom-for-adhd-students
9. Assistive Technology in the Classroom http://sped.peabody.k12.ma.us/assistive_technology_resources.htm
10. Auditory Disability in the Classroom Have students sit closer to the lecturer Look directly at the student Speak slowly and clearly Do not exaggerate your lip movements Give the student outlines of the lecture or written material, in advance, so that they can become familiar with new technical vocabulary Provide scripts of video and laser media when possible Use any available assistive technologies4 4. http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/hearing.html#sect2
11. Hearing Assistive Technology Assistive Listening Device (ALD) examples: Personal frequency modulation (FM) systems Induction Loop Systems One to one communicators Visual Systems: Closed-captioning TV Note taking Computerized speech recognition3 3. http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm
12. Assistive Technology for Auditory Disability in the Classroom http://www.ihr.mrc.ac.uk/app/webroot/img/research/ix/5/cape75.png http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ENEucHWIBCU/0.jpg
13. Mild Learning Disabilities and Inclusion Time: Students with disabilities usually need more time for schoolwork and daily routines Distribute course syllabi and reading lists in advance5 Organization: Low-tech solutions: flow charting, task analysis, webbing or networking ideas, and outlining. High-tech solution: outline function of word processing software Note Taking: Low-tech solution: provide copies of structured outlines for students to use in filling in information. High-tech solution: include optical character recognition, which is software that can transform typewritten material into computer-readable text using a scanner6 5. http://www.disability.uiuc.edu/page.php?id=61 6. http://www.teachervision.fen.com/assistive-technology/teaching-methods/3791.html?detoured=1
14. Conclusion There are many available assistive technologies for special needs learners There are also no-tech and low-tech approaches for students with disabilities Teachers must be aware of their students’ disabilities and the various approaches available to provide them with the tools to succeed