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?

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?

Where can I find information about software to help my child with Down Syndrome?

Bridget Brady

March 31, 2010 10:49:13 PM

We are looking for guidance on how to help our child with Down Syndrome at home. She has moderate to severe cognitive impairments, and we'd like to use software with her to help build skills but don't know where to look.

How can a student who has a learning disability and no computer skills survive college?

Bridget Brady

March 31, 2010 10:28:54 PM

As an occupational therapist, I recently evaluated a young woman who has a significant learning disability. She is interested in attending college, however, we know that computers are required in college for even non-academic functions, such as registration and communications, and she has difficulty using them. She is seeking an accommodations, but isn't sure what she needs or what to do. Do you have any suggestions on how a student can survive college without computer skills, or in regard to legal support for appropriate accommodations?

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 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 get help with technology accommodations in graduate school?

Liana Heitin

December 05, 2009 4:33:10 PM

I have recently been accepted into a graduate program and am wondering if there are any options for upgrading the software tools I use for reading. I have a reading disability — are there any grants or programs that might help me?

What tools can help my son with LD learn a foreign language?

Liana Heitin

October 18, 2009 9:57:28 PM

My 15-year-old son has a language-based learning disability. He is in the tenth grade and so far has been able to maintain good grades with the assistance of an educational support paraprofessional. However, he has now started taking required foreign language classes and is struggling with vocabulary, verbal exercises, and exams. Are there any technology tools or software programs that might help him?

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 public libraries better support people with learning disabilities?

Sun Kim

September 15, 2009 12:22:18 PM

I work in a public library and want to be sure that our resources are accessible to all our patrons, including those with disabilities. What resources should we make available and where can we find additional information about making libraries accessible to individuals with learning disabilities?

What technology tools can help my son with spelling?

Liana Heitin

July 27, 2009 11:40:43 PM

My third grade son has problems with spelling; even if he practices a word several times, he cannot remember it. Often, he writes the word down the way it sounds to him. How can I help him with his spelling?