Assistive Technology
by Jan Baumel, M.S in Education
Schwab Learning

Assistive technology (AT) for kids with learning differences (LD) can be any item, piece of equipment, or system that helps bypass, work around, or compensate for specific learning deficits. AT is not the same as instructional software that develops specific academic skills. AT can be hardware, such as computers, tape recorders, and calculators. AT also can be programs (software) that run on computers and tell the computers what to do. The cost of AT can range from a few dollars for low-tech" equipment to thousands of dollars for "hi-tech" items. Here are some examples:

• low-tech
• pencil grips
• specialty paper
• highlighting pens and tape
• planners

• hi-tech
• tape recorders
• talking calculators
• portable keyboards
• electronic spell checkers and dictionaries
• reading systems that use a computer, scanner, and software to read scanned book pages out loud
• speech recognition software that allows a computer to operate by speaking to it
• mind mapping / outlining software

Kids with LD have unique strengths, needs, talents, and interests. Your child is fortunate to live at a time when so many assistive technology tools are available to help them. AT can’t fix or eliminate learning difficulties, but it can be used to help your child learn to capitalize on strengths and bypass areas of difficulty. However, choosing the appropriate technology for your child requires time and patience. The right product depends on your child’s individual needs, the setting in which it will be used, and the task(s) to be accomplished. The more informed you are and the more you involve your child in the process, the greater the chance for success.

Links to Assistive Software Tools and Technology solutions!

Last updated October 6, 2002 By Bonnie Marshall