Determine Equipment, Technology & Communication Needs

Determine Equipment Technology & Communication Needs

Develop Positive Support Plan for Challenging Behaviors

Identify & Implement Activities to Develop Peer Relationships

Review Classroom Routines & Share Successes

Moving On to the Next Grade

Develop Contingency Plans

References

Acknowledgements

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DETERMINE EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION NEEDS

EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

It is important to consider what equipment and technology will assist the student to participate in the general education setting. Often, the physical environment will need no special attention. However, for some students, slight adjustments in the classroom environment will make it easier for the student to be successful.

The following is a list of some equipment and technology options that the team should consider:

_______Uses the same equipment and materials

_______Assess the need for adaptations to equipment:

_______chair
_______desk
_______physical education equipment
_______playground equipment
_______drinking fountain
_______bathroom sinks and toilets

_______Assess the need for adaptive and instructional technology:
(Contact the Special School District computer technologist at 989-8173)

_______computer
_______tape recorder
_______language master
_______Franklin Speller
_______overhead projector

_______Assess the need to adapt classroom supplies:

_______textbooks
_______organizing system
_______notebooks
_______pencils
_______scissors
_______crayons
_______glue

_______Assess the need to modify the room environment:

_______lighting
_______temperature
_______room layout

_______Is it conducive to the specific child as well as the group?
_______Does it facilitate physical integration of all students?
_______Does it allow easy access between the teacher and the student?
_______Is the room accessible and safe for the student?
_______Does the room allow space for adaptive _______equipment required for positioning, e.g. prone stander.

COMMUNICATION

A student's ability to communicate in an inclusive environment will help determine his/her success and should be considered a top priority when planning a student's educational plan.

About 1 percent of the population has severe communication disorders in which hearing impairment is not the primary cause. For these students, adaptive assistance is required for speaking and/or writing.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all of the ways to communicate which supplement or take the place of speech, writing or gesture. Some people have a limited amount of speech, but it is inadequate to meet their varied communication needs.

An AAC system is individually developed for each student. It is necessary to use multiple modes to accommodate the varying situational communication needs. For each student, symbols, aids and techniques must be identified.

The AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION CONSULT form is completed by the student's speech/language pathologist (SLP) and is shared with the augmentative communication consultant. After this consultation, a summary is completed and recommendations are made. When a student's team determines that an augmentative communication evaluation would be beneficial for the student, the department of speech/language for Special School District should be contacted.