Assistive Technology
Written by Shane L. Nurnberg

To me the term assistive technology is confusing, cumbersome and it sounds scary. Can’t someone come up with a better term for this? The word ‘technology’ seems to suggest something high-tech like a special computer used to speak for someone who is non-verbal. While that computer would indeed be classified as high-tech assistive technology, A.T. can also be something as simple as a fork with an extra thick handle. A lot of children with disabilities could benefit from assistive devices. As the parent of a child with a disability you play a very important role in helping to acquire the proper assistive technology, be it high-tech or low-tech, for your child.

What is Assistive Technology?
A.T. is something you should have knowledge of. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.), an assistive technology device is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.”

If you have read some of the other articles I have written you may know my 5-year-old son has autism. My son, Braden, requires assistive technology, and I am constantly evaluating his needs to see what devices might help him. Also, at Braden’s age I find that looking through catalogs like Beyond Play helps to jog my memory of what could help him. Beyond Play (www.beyondplay.org) sells lots of amazing things for children with special needs. A Google search on “toys special needs” brings up many companies of interest. And from Braden’s perspective everything is a toy right now. When helping to determine what devices your child might need, ask yourself these questions:

1. Of skills typical children his age have mastered by now, what things does my child need help with?
2. Do the specialists who work with my child, such as the occupational therapist, agree with me, and would they recommend this device for my child?

Question 1 is important because asking this question will help you to “zero in” on the areas your child may benefit from an assistive device. And if typical peers of the same age need more time to master the skill, then give your child more time also. An assistive device may not be appropriate just yet.

Question 2 is important because the specialists will be able to give that professional opinion. They see many children and they can tell you if the skill you are seeking assistive technology for is an area you should be concerned about at this time in your child's development. If the area of need is related to speech therapy, get the speech therapist’s opinion and tell him/her of your ideas. If the device pertains to motor skills, talk to an occupational or physical therapist or an adaptive PE teacher.

Who Pays for Assistive Technology?
There’s no clear-cut answer to this question. This depends on your child’s age, disability and where the device is primarily needed. Even then, there can be a bit of a gray area. Let’s look at this closer.

In the state of California, Regional Centers serve many children with disabilities ages birth to 3, with the exception of children with solely low incidence disabilities who are served by county offices of education. Children with low incidence disabilities are children who are deaf, blind, orthopedically impaired and any combination. So, for example, if your child has a speech and language delay, once your child turns 3, the services are transitioned from Regional Center to school districts in most communities. Children over the age of 3 remain eligible for Regional Center services if they have a cognitive or developmental disability, such as Downs Syndrome and Autism. Regional Centers may help families obtain a needed device, especially if the device is to be used outside of school.

California Children’s Services may be another option to assist with obtaining assistive technology devices. C.C.S. essentially serves children birth to 21 with physical or medical disabilities. This organization assists in obtaining devices when they are medically necessary. For example, if your child needs a wheelchair, a special chair apparatus for the classroom or hearing aids and there is no other funding source, C.C.S. would probably be the agency to assist in obtaining it.

Location; if the A.T. device is only needed while your child is in school, the school district in which you reside will help to determine how to obtain and/or purchase the equipment.

Why Should You be Concerned About Assistive Technology?
There is both high-tech and low-tech A.T. For a while, when Braden was younger, he was unable to grasp a fork effectively enough to feed himself. He was able to get the fork from the bowl to his mouth, but not well enough to stop the food from slipping off the utensil and landing on the front of his Clorox-clean shirt. So my wife and I had to feed him beyond the period of time his typical peers had mastered feeding themselves. Looking back, we probably could have acquired a fork with an extra thick handle that would have helped him be more independent in the feeding department. That fork would have been considered an assistive device.

The O-Ball Braden currently has is also an assistive device. Braden has trouble catching balls. In fact, they usually bounce off his chest. The O-Ball is a certain ball that is made to be very easy to catch, and it is helping my son to master that skill. And remember, in mastering a new skill your child builds confidence and self-esteem!

When you become more involved in learning about all the assistive devices available, you are better able to participate in helping to determine the need your child has for that assistive device, whether it’s a swing, trampoline, O-Ball or DynaVox! It's all about helping children achieve! ▪