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Exploring Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive technology (AT) can be an incredibly powerful tool for young children with disabilities. As you begin or continue to explore AT options, you will likely have many questions. They may include:

• What is assistive technology?
• What does AT look like for an infant, toddler, or preschooler?
• How will using AT affect my child or student?
• How do I find or try AT for my child or student?

The TIKES Project aims to provide guidance to these and many other questions. Through the TIKES Project, we are working to provide direction and support to families and professionals as they explore and implement assistive technology. We know that being able to try AT helps parents and educators make wise purchasing decisions and write appropriate technology into an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP). Below you will find handouts that provide guidance for many frequently asked questions as families and professionals explore AT for young children.

In this Exploring Assistive Technology section we will provide materials to learn about what assistive technology is and how it can help. If you want to learn more about trialing technology to make a decision, the decision making process, and documenting technology, visit Including Assistive Technology in School. If you would like to know more about resources and options for acquiring assistive technology for a child, visit Funding Assistive Technology.

Handouts to Support Exploring Assistive Technology

• Examples of Assistive Technology for Young Children
  Hmong version | Spanish version

  Assistive technology looks different for children ages birth to 5 than it does for older students and adults. Here we share examples of what AT looks like for young children in all areas: daily routines and activities, social skills and behavior, sensory, fine motor, communication, literacy, and computer access.

• Explore Assistive Technology and Open New Doors for Your Child
  Hmong version | Spanish version

  Let’s get started exploring assistive technology! Your journey with AT will likely start by talking to professionals with AT knowledge. We provide guidance on connecting with the right professionals and give you ideas for questions to ask. Finally, we share ideas on how to begin trying different types of AT.

• High Expectations and Assistive Technology: Empowering Your Child
  Hmong version

  Through the use of assistive technology, we are able to remove barriers and help children reach their full potential. Having high expectations for children with disabilities is an essential component to this process.

• Tips for Administrators:  Assistive Technology

  As an administrator, you want the best for your students and staff, and for many students the use of AT can help them achieve their best results. This document includes information on documenting AT in the IFSP or IEP, providing staff with access to AT, clarifying the funding process for AT, and encouraging staff to take part in high-quality professional development on the topic of AT.

• What is Assistive Technology and How Can it Help my Child?
  Hmong version

  Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about AT for young learners. What is AT? Why should we use AT? How can AT help my child? How do I start using AT with my child?

Webinars by the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management

The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management offers these webinars, recorded during Better Hearing and Speech Month in May 2016. The TIKES Project participated in these webinars to support families and professionals in learning about using assistive technology with young children.

View the 2016 Better Hearing and Speech Month Archived Webinars

• Center on Technology and Disability’s Free Resources
• Quality Hearing Screening Practices for Children Birth to Five Years of Age
• Quality Hearing Screening for Children 0-5 Years of Age
• Don't Wait to Communicate! Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Debunking Common Myths about Using Assistive Technology with Young Children