Assistive Technology Checklist: What to Consider When Looking at AT

 Are you searching for the right assistive technology (AT) for your child? The following checklists, adapted from the ones created by Understood.org's Amanda Morin, may help you decide whether a device or tool is going to work well for your child.

What to Ask About Assistive Technology

Does this tool address your child’s specific needs and challenges?

Does it use your child’s strengths?

Is there a simpler tool that would work as effectively?

Will it be easy to incorporate into everyday life?

Is it portable?

Is your child willing to use it?

Is your child able to use it? (Have her try a demo.)

How easy is it to learn to use the tool?

Will you have support or training in how it works, even if it’s only used at school?

Will teachers have support or training in how it works?

Is the tool compatible with the existing technology your child uses? (For example, will the software work on your child’s mobile device or a school computer?)

How reliable is the device?

What technical support is available?

If the tool is purchased for school use only, do you have access to a comparable tool that your child can use at home?

 

As you consider various AT tools, make sure your child's teacher and CSE team are part of the process. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, he may benefit from the addition of assistive technology (AT) to help him/her learn. Together, with the school, you can work together to choose the right tools. Asking questions along the way can help. Here are some questions to ask if AT is being proposed by the school.

 

Assistive Technology and Your Child’s Needs

How will AT help my child learn more successfully? Will it help him become a more independent learner?

Which of my child’s issues will this tool address? How will it help him work around his challenges?

What strengths does he have that will work well with certain tools or devices? (For example, a child who has trouble reading, but has good listening skills might do well with audiobooks.)

How will we know if the AT implementation is successful?

My child’s needs may change, and new or upgraded AT may be available. Will his AT be reevaluated every year?

Assessment of Assistive Technology

What professional(s) will assess the tool or device?

Does the school have such a professional on staff?

If not, with whom do they contract?

What does a typical evaluation look like?

What is considered when evaluating AT?

What will be included in the evaluation report?

What happens after the assessment is complete?

Typically, how long does it take to get the tools after they’re agreed upon?

Assistive Technology Settings and Situations

Who will receive training on how to use the tool?

Can the device be used during school vacations?

Can the AT be utilized when taking standardized tests?

If the tool will be used in more than one place, how portable is it?

If needed, is further support/training available?

Who’s responsible for maintaining, repairing or replacing the device?

What happens to my child’s device if we change schools or when he moves up to middle school or high school?

What happens to the device when my child graduates?

By asking these questions, you’ll get information and position yourself as a partner with the school. Your questions might even help steer them toward a better, more helpful AT tool for your child.

Click for the original checklist from Understood.org.