Motivational Monday

1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway

It's hard to believe that a year has come and gone so quickly since Where It's AT came to life. What started as a small idea, has blossomed into something beyond what I could have imagined. As a thank you to Where It's AT subscribers, I have partnered with many incredible vendors and wildly talented authors to put some of the tools and resources I have written and posted about over the past year into your hands. The Blogiversary Giveaway will be taking place the week of June 19th through the 23rd. Each day new products will be posted. Take a sneak peek at some of the participating vendors below. 

All that's required from you....be a Where It's AT subscriber. It's that simple! So subscribe today, if you haven't done so already, and stay tuned for updates as the giveaway list continues to grow! 

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Webinar Wednesday: Global Accessibility Awareness Day Mini-Conference

On the afternoon of May 18th, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the ISTE Inclusive Learning Network will be holding its first online mini-conference on digital inclusion with an outstanding line-up of speakers. Below is a schedule for the afternoon. 

*All times are Eastern Daylight Time*

You can sign up to receive a reminder on the day of the mini-conference. Otherwise, you can join us on May 18th starting at 1PM EDT using this link on any PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android device: https://zoom.us/j/201572783

Schedule of Presentations

1 PM – Welcome and Overview (Susie Gronseth)

1:15 PM – Overview of Design Thinking (Mindy Johnson)

1:45 PM – Accessible Learning Materials: Options for Reading (Rhianon Gutierrez)

2:15 PM – Accessible Math (Nancy Kawaja/John McGown – creator of g(Math)/EquatIO )

2:45 PM – Options for Assessment with FreshGrade (Kendra Grant)

3:15 PM – Accessible Coding with Tickle and Sphero (Luis Perez)

3:45 PM – Accessible Maker Spaces (Cindy Anderson)

4:15 PM – 3D Printing (Bill Binko, AT Makers)

4:45 PM – Accessible Seating Options (Jennifer Edge-Savage)

5 PM – Wrap-Up/Closing (Luis Perez, Susie Gronseth)

All sessions will be recorded, with recordings posted on this page after the event.

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Apps for Supporting Autism

Technology, as is often said, is a rapidly growing and changing field. The reality is that as the use of technology becomes the norm in our everyday lives, both in school and at home, parents and educators are quickly seeing how children and students with autism are benefiting from the use of these new and innovative tools. With autism comes a variety of challenges in communication, executive functioning, social skills, behavior/self-management, and learning. Providing direct access to these tools revolutionizes the way individuals with autism learn and communicate. Mobile apps have given parents and educators a myriad of approaches to reach, and teach, children who develop at a rate different than their peers, all while allowing our children and students to learn in a way that best meets their needs. 

The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) partnered with Diana Petschauer and Stacy Driscoll to carefully construct the AT Support for Autism App Matrix which provides a well-organized matrix of mobile apps and links to other resources that can help those on the autism spectrum address the challenges they face. The matrix was created in conjunction with the CTD webinar: “AT and Apps to Support Learners with Autism”. After reviewing the list, be sure to watch the webinar (below) to see some of the apps demonstrated that are featured on the list. 

Source: Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

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Motivational Monday

Thank you for my words...

Thank you CoughDrop for this beautiful tribute to all of the dedicated, hardworking and selfless "Moms" who positively influence our students' and children's lives! 

Thank you for my words...

This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day. We all have gratitude for the mother who gave us life. We are grateful for the love and encouragement given by Mom.

But the mothering influences in our lives often reach beyond just our actual mother. From family supporters who listen when we have something to say to therapists who help us to bring our voices to life. And from teachers who presume competence and engage us daily to aides who give us focused time and attention, we want to say thank you for your kindness and care.

Thank you for believing in us. 
Thank you for teaching us. 
Thank you for remembering that we know things too. 
Thank you for making us laugh. 
Thank you for being patient when we aren't at our best. 
Thank you for listening. 
Thank you for seeing that we are more than what people see on the outside. 
Thank you for knowing that we need to have fun. 
Thank you for telling us jokes. 
Thank you for waiting for us to answer. 
Thank you for being patient. 
Thank you for getting frustrated so we know you're human too. 
Thank you for knowing we have something to say... 
And thank you for helping us find the words to say it.

Thank you for loving us, because nothing else matters more.

Source: 

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Understanding the Struggles of the ADHD & Dyslexic Child

Frequently the conditions AD/HD and dyslexia exist co-morbidly. As stated on the IDA website: "AD/HD is one of the most common developmental problems, affecting 3–5% of the school population. It is characterized by inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is estimated that 30% of those with dyslexia have coexisting AD/HD. Coexisting means the two conditions, AD/HD and dyslexia,can occur together, but they do not cause each other. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition, spelling,and reading decoding. People with dyslexia have problems discriminating sounds within a word or phonemes, a key factor in their reading and spelling difficulties." As a parent or educator, have you ever wondered how a child with learning and attention issues experiences the world? Understood.org gives you a glimpse into how difficult it can be to read when your brain scrambles the letters. Follow the link below to try to accomplish a simple task when distractions drown out your instructions. Understanding these daily struggles is one of the best ways to help your child. Share your experience in the comments section below too...

See It Now Source:

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Motivational Monday

Supporting Evidence-Based Practice with Technology

What is EBP?

In the world of Speech and Language Pathology, evidence-based practice (EBP) has become a norm for many professionals. EBP encompasses using the best, research-proven assessments and treatments in the day-to-day client care and service delivery. As stated on the ASHA website: 

The goal of EBP is the integration of: (a) clinical expertise/expert opinion, (b) external scientific evidence, and (c) client/patient/caregiver perspectives to provide high-quality services reflecting the interests, values, needs, and choices of the individuals we serve. Conceptually, the trilateral principles forming the bases for EBP can be represented through a simple figure:

How can EBP be supported with technology?

Below is a list of iPad apps that support evidence based practice for both speech language pathology and autism spectrum disorders. The list of apps featured below, created by Speech Therapy for Autism, represents some of the apps currently available.  In the rapidly changing field of technology, the list continues to shift and expand daily. As with any tool being implemented, it is always important to keep in mind that every student is unique with their own individual needs, preferences and characteristics. Educators should take these factors into considering when selecting the apps they feel are most suitable to address their students' needs.

Communication is Key Webinars

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month! In celebration, OSEP’s Early Childhood Assistive Technology Model Demonstration grantees and Center on Technology and Disability is partnering with the Office of Head Start’s Early Childhood Hearing Outreach (ECHO) Initiative to join the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in celebrating this year’s theme “Communication: The Key to Connection.” Throughout the month of May, ASHA partners with national and local stakeholders to engage in a multifaceted public education campaign to raise awareness about the critical need to intervene early when young children are identified with communication disorders. The Coffee Break Webinars will focus on raising awareness about the use of assistive technology and the importance of frequent hearing screenings. Please join the Coffee Break webinar series to learn more about assistive technology and hearing screening. There is no pre-registration to join the webinars.


Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 2:00-2:15 p.m. 

Debunking Common Myths about Using Assistive Technology with Young Children

Bridget Gilormini, Director, Simon Technology Center PACER Center Bridget Gilormini Bridget.Gilormini@pacer.org

https://ncham.adobeconnect.com/bhsm/


Wednesday, May 3, 2017, 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. 

Don't Wait to Communicate! Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Jacqueline Hess, Director, Disabilities Studies and Services & Early Care and Education jhess@fhi360.org

https://ncham.adobeconnect.com/bhsm/


Friday, May 5, 2017, 2:00 – 2:15 p.m.

Quality Hearing Screening Practices for Children Birth to 5 Years of Age

Will Eiserman, Early Childhood Hearing Outreach (ECHO) Initiative

https://ncham.adobeconnect.com/bhsm/


Monday, May 8, 2017, 2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Using a Multi-Modal Approach to Support Children with Hearing Loss

Karen Latimer, Assistive Technology Specialist, Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative, Center for Disabilities Studies Karen Latimer klatimer@udel.edu

https://ncham.adobeconnect.com/bhsm/


Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 2:00 – 2:15 p.m.  
Center on Technology and Disability: Free Resources to Support the Use of Assistive Technology in Young Children with Disabilities

Jacqueline Hess, Director, Disabilities Studies and Services & Early Care and Education jhess@fhi360.org

https://ncham.adobeconnect.com/bhsm/

AAC Bootcamp Infographic

Motivational Monday