Where can we find information about apps for the iPad in special education?

Bridget Brady

September 09, 2010 9:27:51 PM

My school is getting iPads to work with our students in special education next year. We've had one to "play with" and have used many of the educational applications that our computer center downloaded for us. Are there other specific apps out there that you would definitely recommend for using with students in special education? Are there any apps you would recommend for use with upper elementary students? We've found that many are aimed at students in the primary grades but would love to have more choices for our older students.

What cell phone applications can benefit students with ADHD?

Bridget Brady

September 09, 2010 9:24:18 PM

I work as an OT with high schools students and wanted to know… what cell phone applications can benefit students with ADHD? We have used the basic features (calendar, alarms, etc) but have not explored additional applications and are wondering what other ideas or suggestions you might have.

Where can I find more books to use with a reading pen?

Bridget Brady

September 09, 2010 9:21:33 PM

I recently bought a book that uses an audio pen to read the pages. You point the pen at the text in the book and can hear it read aloud. I'm wondering what kind of technology is involved here and if more of these books are available? Is there special software needed to convert text into encoded dots so the audio pen reads them?

What options are there for a teenager who needs a communication device?

Bridget Brady

September 09, 2010 9:19:59 PM

I have a 15-year-old daughter that has multiple disabilities. She is nonverbal with some vocal sounds, is visually impaired, and has mental and physical deficits. She has full use of her right hand and a left side stroke. I'm wondering … is there any technology that she can possibly use for communication other than Cheap Talk 8? This is heavy and bulky for a child with limited hand-use, and it is too large for her desk at school. In addition, I am trying to compile a communication book, similar to PECS (picture exchange communication system), but am hoping there is some kind of technology that is available and easier to access for her. Are there additional communication devices that you would recommend?

What technologies can help a high school student with dysgraphia in science and math classes?

Bridget Brady

September 09, 2010 9:14:38 PM

What accommodations/modifications do you recommend for high school students in math and science when the main issue is dysgraphia? I have found that many of the "usual" accommodations (Alphasmarts, computers, voice activated programs, etc.) do not work as well due to the format of the math and science classes (i.e., drawing graphs, diagrams, writing in journals, etc.). What do you recommend?

What technology tools can my daughter use over the summer to practice her math skills?

Bridget Brady

September 09, 2010 9:09:43 PM

My 14 year old daughter struggles with math. We have tried several things, but she does not seem to retain the information. She enjoys games on the computer and likes technology. We would love to help her over the summer but aren't sure where to start! We are wondering… are there any technology programs, or tools, that you think would help her math skills?

How can I get accessible instructional materials for my son if the school will not provide them?

Bridget Brady

August 05, 2010 11:30:27 PM

My son is dyslexic — his fluency is in the 10th percentile, and he reads at half the rate of his peers. His verbal IQ is in the 99th percentile, and when he has accessible materials his ability to comprehend is high. He uses Kurzweil 3000 to read academic materials and finds he benefits from the synchronized, highlighted text with the speech.

Unfortunately, his school has stated that when he enters high school next year, he will receive materials "just like everyone else" and will be responsible for converting all of his materials to digital format himself if he wants them in electronic format. Though my son has individual memberships to Bookshare and RFB&D, the school does not have an institutional membership, so he can't obtain his textbooks.

Do you have any suggestions on how to facilitate his access to print material? Should we purchase a high quality scanner, and if so, do you have recommendations on type? (Seems it would be cheaper than litigating this issue, which we can't afford.)

How can I track down appropriate software for my daughter with multiple disabilities?

Bridget Brady

August 05, 2010 11:29:24 PM

My 14 year old daughter is really struggling in school. She has learning disabilities and difficulties with auditory processing. She's currently very far behind in all her classes and is really struggling to keep up with her work. I'm worried that the workload will be too much as she enters high school and she'll get discouraged and consider dropping out. The school has offered her audio books because her reading is so far below grade level, but she struggles to follow along with them because of her processing difficulties. How can we use technology at home to help with her reading and homework? How can I find the right program for her when she has multiple areas of need?

Is peer support an acceptable substitute for assistive technology in the classroom?

Bridget Brady

August 05, 2010 11:27:45 PM

My son has autism and needs assistive technology tools. The school does not have anyone on staff that can help with AT decision-making or training and instead has students help each other. Is this acceptable? How can I talk to my son's school about getting more support for assistive technology?

What treatment is needed for a child with dysgraphia?

Bridget Brady

March 31, 2010 9:39:03 PM

I have an 11 year-old daughter who will be entering seventh grade next year. She was diagnosed with learning disabilities in first grade and is severely dysgraphic. While she has learned to write fairly well, it is still a struggle for her and her writing is hard to read. I've asked her special education teacher to work with her on handwriting because I want her to be able to write clearly. Her teacher thinks that we should just let her use the computer because handwriting is too difficult and frustrating. But I think it is important for my daughter to be able to write with pen and paper too. If she always uses a computer, won't that make things more difficult for her later when she has to write things out? You can't always use a computer for writing, and I'm worried about what she'll do when she's not in school anymore and her job might not make accommodations for her.

Where can I calculate readability levels online?

Bridget Brady

March 31, 2010 9:09:16 PM

I work for an organization that serves individuals with disabilities. We often create materials for a variety of audiences and we want to make sure that the content is accessible. Are there any online tools or resources that can help us evaluate the level of reading materials? Where could we find suggestions for how to simplify the reading level of text?

Where can I find multilingual text-to-speech solutions?

Bridget Brady

March 31, 2010 9:02:29 PM

I am the disability services coordinator for a small university. I am currently looking for a program that could read text aloud (both text books and tests) to students with learning disabilities. However, I would need programs that could read text aloud in other languages. Do you know where I could find programs like this? I'm particularly interested in finding something with a variety of language options (Chinese, Korean, etc.). Many programs seem to have French and Spanish, but not too many other options.

What online resources are available for a student in a rural area without access to special education services?

Bridget Brady

March 31, 2010 8:42:38 PM

My six-year-old son is obsessed with super heroes. He often talks about his favorites (Batman, Superman, Spiderman, etc.) and is very fond of watching their movies and cartoons. He has an amazing memory about things he is interested in and can remember everything about superhero movies and cartoons he likes but still does not recognize his numbers and letters. I'm very worried about his studies and his reading. How can I help him improve his reading skills? We don't have access to special education near our home as we live in a remote town in Pakistan.

How can I use software tools to teach my young adult son appropriate conversation skills?

Liana Heitin

December 27, 2009 6:11:38 PM

My son with Asperger's tends to speak inappropriately loudly in conversation, as well as having difficulty with an appropriate level of personal space. These difficulties have both affected his abilities to socialize with his peers, and interact with people in public spaces. He has been through social skills training, but tends to 'forget' to modulate his voice when he is engaged in conversation or excited about a topic. Are there technologies available that might help provide him with cues or reminders of appropriate behavior in public places?

How can I help my 14-year-old daughter who struggles with reading?

Liana Heitin

October 18, 2009 9:45:35 PM

My daughter is almost 14 and is in the fifth grade. Her school identified her as having a specific learning disability, so she receives services through school, but she still struggles, especially with reading. What technology tools can we use with her to help her improve her reading skills?

Should I go back to school as an adult if I suspect I have a learning disability?

Liana Heitin

October 12, 2009 9:01:04 PM

I am in the process of going back to college to seek a degree in education. Although I have been out of school for many years, I am excited about going back. Unfortunately, I find myself having a hard time processing a lot of the assignments my instructors give. I get concerned and worry that I might have a learning disability. Will I still be able to pursue my career as an educator if I can't keep up with the work?

How can I find information about creating readings for blind or dyslexic students?

Liana Heitin

June 30, 2009 12:19:58 PM

I am interested in finding out more information about creating readings for the blind or dyslexic student. I am particularly interested in early elementary school literature or textbooks and reading on tape or disc.

What can you tell me about working in this area?

How can our school make our arts programs (music, art class, etc.) more inclusive for all students?

Liana Heitin

June 29, 2009 12:34:51 PM

Our school is focusing on inclusion and individualizing instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. We'd like to apply this same thinking to our arts programs.

Are there resources available about making the arts more inclusive for all? Are there technology tools that we could integrate into our arts curriculum?

What assistive technology tools could we use with a middle school student so he doesn’t feel singled out and different from his peers?

Administrator

February 01, 2009 8:23:50 AM

We have a middle school student that has difficulty with written work and reading difficulties. We would like to get some of the voice-activated software for him. We also wanted him to start using the computer and learning keyboarding but there may be some fine motor weaknesses. He is embarrassed by his difficulties and does not want to appear different to the other children. Do you have any ideas for how we might get him to use assistive technology tools and feel less singled out?

Would a portable book reader be appropriate for a child with visual processing issues?

Administrator

February 01, 2009 8:06:13 AM

Have you ever heard of the Amazon Kindle? Do you think that this would help a child with visual processing issues? My son is in fourth grade and needs large print books. I'm having difficulty finding grade level appropriate books with larger fonts. Could Kindle be a good solution?