Where can I find research about technology as an appropriate intervention tool?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with disabilities be evaluated for assistive technology, so if your child has a technology evaluation, the assistive technology coordinator for your school or district should be able to help you with convincing teachers of the possible benefits of using technology. They will have access to research and accepted best practices for students with disabilities.

It can also be helpful to do your own research. LD Online has a wonderful collection of articles and resources on the various uses of technology for individuals with learning disabilities. You might start with the section for parents, but also check out articles in the section on technology. Here you can find specific articles about the benefits of calculators for students with LD, the use of tech tools to teach history and science, and the need for alternatives to print, along with many other articles that might be useful to share with your child’s teachers.

Great Schools now features the information on assistive technology for students with learning disabilities that was produced for Schwab Learning (no longer a live site). Search the learning difficulties content for “assistive technology” and find short pieces on tools for reading, writing, math and others. They may be helpful in discussing options with teachers and staff.