MYTHS AND FACTS SURROUNDING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND SERVICES

 

January 2024, from the Department of Education

read it here. 

LAMP Trainings (virtual)

The OPI Montana Autism Education Project is offering virtual LAMP trainings on January 17th and February 10th, 2022.   8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.     (same training, different days)

WHAT IS LAMP?

LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) is an augmentative alternative communication (AAC) approach designed to give a method of independently and spontaneously expressing themselves through a speech generating device. 

This course will cover the components of LAMP: readiness to learn, engaging the learner through joint engagement, and learning language through a unique and consistent motor plan paired with an auditory signal and a natural consequence. Discussion will include how this approach addresses the core language deficits of autism, device features that are beneficial to teaching language, and how to use those features to implement LAMP components. Videos will be used to illustrate the treatment components. (LAMP web page)

These trainings are available for free to Montana public school educators. Five OPI renewal units and .5 ASHA CEUs are available for this training. 

This training is full and registration has closed. 

(PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to complete a second registration with LAMP to receive a link to the training and your LAMP manual.) 

Transitioning from PECS to Speech-Generating Devices Training (virtual) - 2021-2022 School Year

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS®) is an evidence-based protocol that teaches vital communication skills such as initiation, persistence in relaying messages, picture discrimination and basic sentence structure. After mastery of these skills, the learner likely has a large repertoire of pictures in the communication book. If the learner is not speaking, the team may need to explore a transition to a dedicated Speech Generating Device (SGD) or tablet with communication app that will accommodate larger vocabularies and allow for continued language development. 

To ensure the rapid transfer of existing communication skills, the transition will require the team to assess current PECS skills and then analyze features of various apps/SGDS to select a device that will best meet the learner’s needs. 

Following device selection, detailed lesson plans are necessary to teach use of the new device as a functional communication system. This workshop is appropriate for teams supporting learners who may be ready to transition from PECS to SGDs. It is also appropriate for teams working with learners who are not currently using their devices effectively.

*Please have a Speech Generating Device (SGD) or a tablet with an AAC app during the training to use for a variety of activities.

January 31   8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. 

OPI renewal units (6) will be provided after verification from PECS that you have attended the training. ASHA and BACB CEUs are available through PECS. 

Registration has closed for this training. 

MonTECH’s Montana AAC Town Halls

 Big news! MonTECH’s Montana AAC Town Halls begin this Wednesday, September 8^th, 4:00-5:00 pm! As you know, MonTECH is Montana’s assistive tech program. But we have a secondary mission: to support the capacity of our community to serve those with complex communication needs. 

Monthly AAC Town Halls are an amazing opportunity for Montana’s professionals to share information and learn from each other.  Network with practitioners encountering the same obstacles of practicing in a rural state with limited resources, serving a population requiring a special skill set.  Without knowledgeable SLPs, OTs, educators, and care providers, Montanans who could benefit from AAC are voiceless!

 

Town Halls will feature talking points based on your interests, and time to share and discuss specific needs you encounter in your work. The focus of each meeting alternates between adult and pediatric practice.  Meetings are practitioner-focused for therapists and educators, but families, caregivers, direct support staff, and case managers are also welcome.

 

Learn more about Montana AAC Town Hall and see the schedule for future meetings:  http://montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/event/montana-aac-town-hall/ [montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu]

Register for the Pediatric-focused AAC Town Hall on September 8^th:  https://umontana.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEld-uhrjgvGN1-dzG6XP254jXxrhqCo7sI[umontana.zoom.us]   

Register for the Adult-focused AAC Town Hall on October 6^th (and subsequent meetings):  https://umontana.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAocuqhrT4iGNDN1uREeOcZ_ezzl0gc14eL [umontana.zoom.us]

Set aside one hour a month (or every other month) to build relationships with colleagues, develop skills, and learn together.  We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

 

Shawna Hanson

Outreach Coordinator

 

MonTECH [montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu]

Montana Family to Family Health Information Center [umt.edu]

The Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

University of Montana

Shawna.Hanson@mso.umt.edu

Time Timer App - FREE!!

 

Product Details

Time Timer is here to help.  This app is free during the COVID-19 crisis to help create structure for everyone during this time of uncertainty.  Thank you and stay well.

Enjoy stress-free time management with the Time Timer® iPhone App—an award-winning visual timer!

Take advantage of the ability to customize, save and re-use timers with names, colors, alert options, timer scale options and more! 

FInd more information here. 

Six Therapeutic Ways To Use an iPad With Your Preschooler

 Using technology to facilitate interaction with your child can be difficult, but it’s attainable by intentionally choosing activities. For parents, leaning into what your child is interested in and getting on his/her level can be the start of really beautiful engagement and interaction.

I have had great results using devices such as iPads and other tablets as tools to help children work toward their goals in therapy. Often, the iPad can provide extra fun and motivation when focusing on challenging motor tasks. The reality is, I get many more smiles when I bring out an iPad than a pencil and paper! The most important thing is to have fun with your child; the device is merely the facilitator. Below are some simple ways to direct your child’s media use for the purpose of interaction and therapeutic benefit.

Anticipation

Using cause and effect can be a fun and exciting way to engage your child. Think about the classic peekaboo game—the fun is the anticipation! The Peekaboo Barn iPad app features cute animals knocking on a closed door, just waiting for you to open it. The anticipation helps engage children as they giggle with you, waiting for the next animal to appear. I also generally love pausing videos if your child can tolerate this. Not only will pausing videos create this same anticipation, but it will provide an opportunity for either verbal or non-verbal communication, as you wait for what’s coming next.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-barn/id300590611

Read more here at Autism Parenting magazine. 

Webinar - Accessibility Insights with Apple,

Robin Christopherson MBE from AbilityNet hosts a monthly live online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.

This month we welcome Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director of Global Accessibility, Policy & Initiatives at Apple as the latest guest in our Accessibility Insights webinar series.

Sarah will discuss Apple's accessibility developments over the past year, its experiences with Covid 19, and how the organisation prioritises inclusion.

This session will last for 30 minutes.

(If you find that you can’t attend, please don’t worry. All of our webinars are recorded and you can find them on our website:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-resources/webinars )

Time

Feb 16, 2021 05:00 AM in Pacific Time (US and Canada)

From Ability Net. 

Assitsive Techology Webinars from MonTECH

 Do you wonder if there is assistive technology (AT) that can help your students, but don’t know where to start? Join MonTECH for a series of webinars focused on AT in the classroom and online learning. Come to all four, or just drop by the topic that interests you. Each topic will be 30 minutes of presentation with technology demonstrations followed by 30 minutes of questions and open discussion.

AT and the IEP
February 9 (4:00 to 5:00PM)
Information/Registration [msubillings.us5.list-manage.com]

An introduction to AT in the schools. We’ll connect you with valuable resources to support using AT in the school. We’ll answer frequently asked questions like: Who pays for this? When do I check the box? How do I know what to try?

Tools for Behavioral Support
February 11 (4:00 to 5:00PM)
Information/Registration [msubillings.us5.list-manage.com]

We’ll show you apps and physical supports for behavior management in the classroom. Our main focus will be on tools that MonTECH has available for loan.

Tools for Students with Dyslexia
February 16 (4:00 to 5:00PM)
Information/Registration [msubillings.us5.list-manage.com]

We’ll show you three tools to support students with dyslexia in reading and writing. We will focus on tools available on Chromebooks, but will have other tools available that we can show during the open discussion portion of this webinar.

Tools for Notetaking
February 18 (4:00 to 5:00PM)
Information/Registration [msubillings.us5.list-manage.com]

We’ll show you three tools to support notetaking whether your students are online or in the classroom. (This is a repeat of the same presentation given last October).

Archived Webinar - Executive Function Tools and Strategies for K-12 Students

Students of all ages with an array of disabilities struggle with executive function skills. This workshop will explore a variety of tools and strategies to support the needs of K-12 students.

View the archived webinar here at the PACER Center. 

Archived Webinar - Educational Apps for Young Children

Apps have become a large part of learning. During this presentation, we will introduce you to a variety of apps appropriate for early childhood-aged children with disabilities.

View the recording here at the PACER Center. 

Archived Webinar - Assistive Technology and Play in the Natural Environment

View the recording here at the PACER Center. 

Webinar - Tools for Success: Technology to Support Young Adults with Disabilities at College and on the Job

Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 — 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM CST

Location: Online Web Streaming

This workshop will feature a wide range of technology to support youth with disabilities at college and on the job. Demonstrations will include tools and apps for executive function, computer access, reading, writing, and notetaking.

Register here at the PACER Center. 

Webinar - Strategies for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Implementation

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 — 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM CST

Location: Online Web Streaming

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools can help individuals communicate with others but implementing them can be overwhelming. This workshop will explore strategies to implement AAC in an individual’s routines and environments.

Register here at the PACER Center. 

Archived Webinar - Learn to set up and customize switch access to Proloquo2go.

View the archived webinar here. 

Webinar - Managing Behavior in a Technology Rich Environment

July 23, 2020 | 10:00 AM CST | 60 minutes

Technology is a powerful tool and one that is available in most classrooms today.  However, along with technology comes increased concerns about managing behaviors in regards to screen time, engagement, and appropriate technology use. How do you navigate the wide variety of tools that are available to figure out which will work best in your classroom to increase students' time on task, participation, and access to content?  

This session will start with a look at how behaviors have changed with the introduction of technology and then move into tools for self-monitoring time on task, increasing student engagement, and providing more access to the content you are teaching.  

		Register here with ablenet.

Making Learning Awesome for All Students Including Those Who Are Learning Language Using Augmentative/ Alternative Communication

Billings

Thursday August 4, 2020

Overall Description: If a student is not successfully using verbal speech as her or his primary form of expression by the age of three, educators working with that student should be considering augmentative/alternative communication. But what are those considerations? What principles should everyone involved be using when making decisions about what technology to select for implementation? Considerations discussed during this session will include the Least Dangerous Assumption, vocabulary selection, vocabulary organization, aided language input, and designing engaging and empowering language opportunities.

Participants will examine a continuum of supports for how to provide inclusive instruction and accessible materials supported by technology. There are a number of strategies fostered by technologies that can be used by students who are learning language that can also be applied to students with other disabilities, including dyslexia, to enhance their own learning. Participants will learn about initiatives to help educators select materials which are born accessible, how to make inaccessible texts accessible, how to create accessible materials, and how to help students learn to make their own materials accessible in preparation for graduation and the world beyond.


Find more information here. 

The OPI has a limited number of scholarships available for attending this conference in-person or virtually. You can request a scholarship on this page. 

Archived Webinars - Executive Function Series :

Part 1: Planning Phase - Schedule & Task Management

Learn about a variety of tools and strategies for managing schedules and tasks using calendars and task lists. Presented strategies and tools may be appropriate for middle to high school, college students and beyond who are able to use mainstream calendars and task lists. The first hour will be a fast-paced presentation on strategies and demonstrations of a variety of tools on various platforms such as Chrome, Web-based, iPads, Android, etc. The last half hour will include an in-depth demonstration on Google Calendar, Google Tasks, and Trello.

View the webinar here. 

Part 2: Executing the Plan - Time & Focus

Learn about a variety of tools and strategies for managing time and attention (including task initiation and follow-through). Presented strategies and tools may be appropriate for middle to high school, college students and beyond who are able to use and navigate mainstream clocks, timers, alarms, time tracking, distraction blocking tools, etc. The first hour will be a fast-paced presentation on strategies and demonstrations of a wide variety of tools on various platforms such as Chrome, Web-based, iPads, Android, etc. The last half hour will be used for an in-depth demonstration on a variety of tools (including Time Timer, MultiTimer, and others).

View the archived webinar here. 

Archived Webinars - AT for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Adapted & Online Curriculum

AT for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Adapted and Online Curriculum

For students with significant intellectual disabilities and physical and/or complex communication needs, the classroom has a multitude of barriers to learning. With AEM, AAC and other Assistive Technologies available, educators have often pieced together opportunities for "participation". Several publishers and manufacturers have been creating universally designed curriculum from the ground up approach.

This webinar will include a brief introduction of what a curriculum should entail and what we should be looking for in an accessible and universally designed curriculum when we are talking about students who have a first disability in the intellectual realm. There will be overviews of several curricular options.

Part 1 of a 3-part series

AT for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Communication Supports

Part 2 of a 3-part series

Communication implementation supports at home or school don’t come with a download. Whether your child is using a free or simple AAC App or one that is complex or costs hundreds of dollars, child and partner strategies probably aren’t as easy as the click to “install” button. This session will take you through five steps to AAC success that are used in real classrooms and at home. These strategies have been blended from a variety of implementation approaches and updated for today’s AAC apps.    


AT for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Behavior Supports

Part 3 of a 3-part series

During this fast-paced presentation we will explore the features of behavior and memory support tools being used with students and adults with developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, cognitive and learning disabilities, as well as an intervention for people who have sustained a head injury. They can be used for creating schedules, task supports, behavior cards and other visual strategies. We will demonstrate the features that should be considered during assessment and selection of schedule and task supports.

This session is not about what product we think is the best, this is about sorting through the options available so that you can be more informed when making decisions.

iPad Boot Camp: Awesome New iPad Apps, Adaptations, and Accessories

Missoula

January 9 and 10, 2020

Broadway Inn and Convention Center

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Discover what is new in the world of awesome apps, adaptations and accessories. Participants should bring their iPads to this course.

 

January 9, 2020

The awesome iPad and it’s many features to support students with disabilities

Resources for finding appropriate apps for specific functional limitations

There is an app for that—feature mapping and finding appropriate apps

Create access solutions for the iPad for vision impairments—tactile overlays

Build a multi-use iPad holder

Creating and using a scan and read station for the iPad for students with print disabilities

Creating access solutions for physical impairments

January 10, 2020

101 Uses for the iPad camera to support students with disabilities

Explore 10 ways to Interact with the iPad without ever touching the device – using voice, geo fencing, switch access

Creating access solutions for students with communication impairments

Apps and executive function impairments

Apps and adaptations for deaf and hard of hearing

Apps for self-regulation and relaxation

iPad access when using a wheelchair, table, floor, car or bed to accommodate for physical limitations

   Participants should bring their iPads to this course.

You can register here.

Therese Willkomm, PhD, ATP, is currently the director of the New Hampshire statewide assistive technology program with the Institute on Disability and a clinical associate professor at the University of New Hampshire. She has been engaged in providing and managing assistive technology services for over 28 years in the areas of home, school, and worksite modifications for persons with disabilities. She is known nationally and internationally as “The MacGyver of Assistive Technology.” She has invented over 600 different Assistive Technology solutions including 50 different iPad solutions.

Previous attendees scored this training at a 5.0 on, "Would you suggest this course to others?"

Quotes from previous attendees: "Great visuals, videos and hands-on!"  "Therese was awesome!"  "I loved how practical this was."  "It was an awesome workshop. I absolutely loved it. Therese has a great sense of humor and is fun to listen to!"

Archived Webinar - Innovative Technology for Individuals with Autism

Individuals with autism benefit significantly from leaps and changes in technologies. Please join Christian Karter, M.A., Educational Technology Specialist at Monarch Center for Autism to learn about the latest in technologies and apps that are being deployed to help further their education and lives. In this edWebinar, Christian will also discuss emerging technologies that are coming to the market in the next few years.

This edWebinar will be of interest to preK-12 teachers, school and district leaders, therapists, and specialists. There will be time to get your questions answered after Christian’s presentation.

About the Presenter

Christian Karter, M.A. is the educational technology specialist at Monarch Center for Autism, a division of Bellefaire JCB, in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He holds a master’s degree in community counseling and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from John Carroll University. He has worked at Monarch Center for Autism for 12 years as an associate teacher in the classroom and in his present role. His chief responsibilities include iPad deployment, Monarch’s PAIRS data system management, and introduction of new technologies into the classrooms.

Watch the Archived Webinar here.