Assistive Technology (AT) — Making Good Decisions

What is Assistive Technology? Assistive technology refers to any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain or improve the ability of individuals (with disabilities) to perform specific tasks. AT products are key to helping users become more independent in school, on the job and in activities for daily living. These products range from very low tech (i.e. colored highlighters) to very hi-tech (i.e. optical scanners and speech synthesizers), and can cost little or be very expensive. They also vary considerably in term of whether they require training to get started or to use them effectively on an ongoing basis.

What AT Can and Cannot Do Assistive technologies can:

• minimize the extent to which individuals with LD need to ask for help (enabling them to be more independent learners)
• improve the speed and accuracy of work
• reinforce effective classroom instruction and strengthen skill development
• help students to 'fit in' with classroom learning and routines
• motivate students with LD to set high goals for themselves and to persevere

Assistive technologies cannot:

• compensate for ineffective teaching
• make a learning disability go away
• be expected to provide the same benefits to different users
• automatically promote positive attitudes toward learning

It is critical to keep in mind that AT is meant to "assist" and not replace intentional, well- designed and implemented instruction. It is often the case that students who use AT tools like screen readers and calculators show some improvement in their reading and math skills over time. This may be in part due to their added exposure to and practice with the very skills that, without AT assistance, would cause them to fall behind.

A sometimes overlooked benefit of AT is that it can help to reduce the enormous stress that is often experienced by students with LD. Struggling to stay current with assignments, needing personal assistance from parents, teachers, and tutors, and the frustration of not being in control can (and often does) contribute to feelings of helplessness and threats to self-confidence and self-worth. AT can be very effective in bolstering student's positive self-image and helping to empower them to compensate for specific disability-related limitations.

Deciding What AT Applications are Best for You Here are some great questions to guide your decision-making.

• What specific needs would you like to be addressed by this AT tool?
• What are your strengths?
• How interested (and motivated) is the student in using AT?
• Where will the AT tools be used? (home, school, work, social settings)
• Will this AT tool be needed for use in more than one place?
• How easy is this AT application to learn and to operate?
• How reliable is it?
• How well does it work in combination with other technologies?
• What kind of technical support does the AT manufacturer offer?
• What local support will you need to make sure things are working well?

Finding the right match between assistive technology tools and the needs of individuals with LD will take some work, but if done thoughtfully, can be invaluable in promoting successful learning and independence.

Additional information on LD.org about assistive technology:

• "Making Technology Part of Your Back-to-School Planning" by Dr. David Edyburn
• "Choosing an Assistive Technology " by Dr. Marshall Raskind
• The "Assistive Technology " section of At School

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