Technology that supports

students with special needs

By Stephanie Arganbright & Natalia Vazquez

Student Study Team

The Student Study Team (SST) is often the first step to aid
a students success in school. The purpose of the SST is to
design a support system for students having difficulty in
the regular classroom.
The SST is a group formed within the school to further
examine a students academic, behavioral and socialemotional progress.
The SST team can propose interventions for the student.

Student Support Team Members

Parent/guardian
Students
Administrator
Classroom Teacher(s)
Learning Support Professional
On-site resource/support staff
Resource Specialist
School Counselor
School District Nurse
School Psychologist
Or any other staff member who
can provide support to the
student

Student Support Team- meetings Purpose

If a child is struggling in school, the
SST conducts meeting to try to determine
if it is due to a specific learning
disability or another cause:
Impaired vision
Social/Behavior problems
Physical or psychological issues
Medical conditions
Language barriers
Other issues affecting the childs
performance
As a result of the SST Meetings a student
may be recommend a formal special
education evaluation or a 504 Plan

504 plan
The 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who
has a disability identified under the law and is attending
an elementary or secondary educational institution receives
accommodations that will ensure their academic success and
access to the learning environment. (University of
Washington: DO-IT, 2015)

Student on 504 plans

ADD/ADHD

Bipolar

Heart Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Diabetes

Emotionally Disturbed

PTSD

Learning Disability

Anxiety

Hearing Impairment

Depression

Epilepsy

Dyslexia

Orthopedically Impaired

Allergies

Traumatic Brain Injury

Asthma

Visually Impaired

ADHD Simulator

Individualized Education Plan

The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is a plan or
program developed to ensure that a child who has a
disability identified under the law and is attending an
elementary or secondary educational institution receives
specialized instruction and related services. (University of
Washington: DO-IT, 2015)

students on iep
13 Categories of Special Education
Autism
Blindness
Deafness
Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities

Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impaired
Specific Learning Disability
Speech or Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment

SST Accommodations
Sit in the front of the
classroom
Agenda/ Homework logs that
parents check
After School Tutoring
Extensions on assignments

504 plan Accommodations

All SST Accommodations
Extra Time on Tests &
Assignments
Separate (Quiet)Test Area
Grade Checks
Copy of Notes From Teacher
Projects Broken Down into
Smaller Parts
Medical Accommodations:
Restroom Breaks
Access to Water/ Food
Place to Keep Supplies
Ability to take breaks
(Emotional Issues)
Computer for Home Use
PE can be Waived (IEP)
Primary- Teachers sign
agenda & use it to
communicate with parents

IEP Accommodations

SST & 504 Accommodations

Modified Assignments
Speech Services
Psychological Services
One on One Aid
Transportation
Staff with CPR
Certification must be
present
Waived from HS Exit Exam
Waived from Math
requirements (ALG 1)

Clerical and communication tools

Scheduling
Google Calendar Invites
Microsoft Outlook
Doodle.com
Document sharing
Google Docs
Video conferencing
Google Hangouts
Skype
Facetime

Audiobooks- struggling readers: dyslexia, visual impaired, physical disabilities, English

language learners, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), Autistic
Learning Ally
Need to become a member. Many books available in audio.
Audible
An Amazon company. $15 per month. Buy audiobooks.
CDs
YouTube
A lot of free audiobooks. Can record your own for your
students.

MathTalk - struggling with math: physically impaired, visually impaired,

Can do math without using a
keyboard or mouse.
Voice their math.
Saves their work.
Can translate their math into
braille.
$$$

Draft Builder helps with organizing, writing:

outline, notetake, writing drafts

helps organize ideas

http://donjohnston.com/draftbuilder/#.Vke3M3arTIU

Personal PA Value System

ADD, ADHD, ELL, Hearing Impaired,

hearing assistance
broadcasts the speakers
voice or audio on a FM
station
reduces background noises
and maximums hearing

Write:Outloud 6 helps struggling writers

as you type it speaks

auditory support
spell checks

http://donjohnston.com/writeoutloud/#.VkfBvXarTIU

Apps

Phonemes

free app

You can hear the different sounds of the

letters. Ex: (m, v, th, tsh, dg, ng)

There are short videos that you can hear

the sound of the letters and it focuses on

the mouth. You can visually see how to

sound out the letters.
QuickCues (Autism)

helps with communication, life skills,

socialization, coping, on the job, safety

ADHD Tracker 1.0

behavior assessment (parents, teachers)

ages 4-18
keeps a daily record of behavior

Dragon Dictation (ADHD,

ELL, physically

impaired, visually impaired)

voice recognition, speak to it

can make texts, emails, notes
faster than typing
supports different languages

30/30

(ADHD)

free app

helps to be organized, ends procrastination,

avoids distractions
assign each task a set time

keeps track how much time you have left

to do that task

References
Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview. Great!Kids. February
2010 Web. 13 November 2015. <http://www.greatschools.
org/gk/articles/assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilitiesan-overview/>
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (Do-It),
University of Washington(2015). What is the difference between an IEP and
a 504 Plan. Retrieved from
<http://www.washington.edu/doit/what-difference-between-iep-and-504-plan>
Doodle (2015). Doodle scheduling website. Retrieved from
<http://doodle.com>
Google+ (2015). Google drive website. Retrieved from
<https://www.google.com/drive/>

Hancock, M. (2009). Understanding Special Education. Retrieved from

<http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com>