Assessing Student's Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)

Table of Contents
Chapter One
Assistive Technology Assessment
Overview of the Assessment and Planning Process ........................................................................1
Assistive Technology Laws Affecting School Districts ..................................................................2
Assistive Technology Roles and Responsibilities ...........................................................................4
Considering the Need for Assistive Technology .............................................................................6
Using the AT Consideration Guide..................................................................................................7
WATI Assistive Technology Consideration Guide ...................................................................10
Assistive Technology Assessment .................................................................................................12
Who Provides an Assistive Technology Assessment ....................................................................13
Assessing A Child’s Need for Assistive Technology, Where to Start? ........................................ 15
WATI Assistive Technology Assessment Directions/Procedure Guide ...................................16
Gathering Information about the Student ......................................................................................18
Referral/Question Identification Guide .....................................................................................20
WATI Student Information Guide ............................................................................................22
Gathering Information about Environments and Tasks .................................................................42
Environmental Observation Guide ............................................................................................44
Environmental Observation Summary ......................................................................................47
Using the AT Decision Making Guide ..........................................................................................48
WATI Assistive Technology Decision Making Guide .............................................................52
Using the AT Checklist ..................................................................................................................53
WATI Assistive Technology Assessment Technology Checklist .............................................54
Additional Tools for the Team as They Select Appropriate Assistive Technology ......................56
Implementing Trials with Assistive Technology ...........................................................................58
WATI Assistive Technology Trial Use Guide ..........................................................................59
WATI Assistive Technology Trial Use Summary ....................................................................61
Products Mentioned in Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................62
Chapter 2
Computer Access
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................65
A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Computer Access ........................66
Access to Computers and Devices for Students with Physical Disabilities ...................................67
Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Switch Types ........................................................73
Freeware/Shareware Toolkits from Trace Center ..........................................................................74
Products Mentioned in Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................75
Chapter 3
Assistive Technology for Writing
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................77
A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for the Motor Aspects of Writing .....78
Assistive Technology and Writing .................................................................................................79
Portable Word Processors ..............................................................................................................83
Portable Word Processors .........................................................................................................85
Voice Recognition Program Comparisons ................................................................................88
A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Composing Written Material ......90
Assistive Technology for Composing Written Materials ..............................................................91
Products Mentioned in Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................95
Assessing Students’ Needs for Assistive Technology (2004)