Summer Reading: The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools: Building or Improving Your District's AT Team

As I shared last week, I have been setting aside time this summer to read for both pleasure and to enhance my professional practice. In addition to the book I posted about last week, I am also currently reading The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools: Building or Improving Your District's AT Team by Chris R. Bugaj and Sally Norton-Darr. This book provides an excellent overview of the process of forming Assistive Technology teams and the process when working with the students.

Book Overview...

Assistive technology (AT) is a serious topic-providing students with special needs tools and strategies to aid in their learning-but reading about it doesn't have to be boring! In The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools, authors Christopher R. Bugaj and Sally Norton-Darr throw in a few pirates, monsters, and monkeys to keep you engaged but don't sacrifice the tips, strategies, and insight that will help improve your school or district AT program. From setting up a stellar team to consultations and evaluations, and from implementation to assessing success, this guide presents detailed advice and ideas to provide AT services that effectively and efficiently help students. The nuts and bolts of each area are presented in a practical way (with amusing metaphors thrown in for good measure) so that you can directly apply whats in the book and see tangible results.

Educators new to AT will find the step-by-step layout helpful in building an AT team and procedures, while seasoned AT professionals will find value in the fresh ideas on reducing paperwork, expanding an AT team, and strategies for considering AT for all students. The analogies, examples, and sometimes even rhymes in this enjoyable book will leave you excited to implement new ideas and improve your AT program, benefiting students, parents, teachers, schools, IEP teams, and of course, AT professionals.

Topics include:
-assistive technology
-special needs

About the Authors....
Christopher R. Bugaj, (follow on Twitter @attipscast) an assistive technology trainer, is a founding member of the AT team for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. In addition to his work in Loudoun County, he also works as an adjunct professor for George Mason University and is the host and producer of the award-winning podcast series A.T.TIPScast, a series about implementing AT in public schools. Bugaj holds a master of arts in speech pathology from Kent State University and presents at educational conferences throughout the United States.

Sally Norton-Darr, (follow on Twitter @snortondarr) is an assistive technology trainer for Loudoun County Public Schools and a nationally certified speech-language pathologist. After earning degrees from Pennsylvania State University, she went on to work in a variety of settings, including public schools in Utah and Virginia, for the state of New Jersey as a director of speech therapies, and in private practice. Norton-Darr presents on high- and low-tech AT topics both nationally and regionally.

Book Cost: 
The book is currently selling on Amazon.com both as a paperback and digital book. Costs vary depending on the format in which the book is purchased and the condition of the book.

Pick up or preview your copy of this amazing resource from Amazon.com by clicking here!

Disclaimer: I am in no way being asked to promote either of these books or being endorsed....I just like to share a valuable resource when I stumble upon one.