The Practical and Fun Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools

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 what's 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. This title guides AT professionals through the steps of setting up a successful AT program. It offers information on AT, IEPs, and the law. It also offers advice and ideas for working successfully with all stakeholders, including teachers, parents, service providers, IEP teams, and students.