Keystone AEA
Assistive technology, Autism, and Significant Disabilities
Featured items for special education
These items are available for check-out from our Media Library and are available to all teachers. Our delivery vans make stops in each school twice per week. The items below may be particularly beneficial for students with autism or significant disabilities, and for students in need of assistive technology. For assistance with reservations please contact Kathy Wessel, 800-632-5918. For support about using the content with a student please contact Gretchen Conway, 800-632-5918.
FEBRUARY 2018
Candy Corn Proximity Switch (Item KM 11850)
Instructional Strategy or Evidence-Based Practice:
Accessibility
Suggested Use: This switch is highly sensitive to movement and is a good choice for students with complex motor needs. It allows switch access for students with very limited movement or that do not have the strength to activate a more traditional switch. It is small, so it can be placed in a variety of locations for best student access. This is a wired switched, so there is not bluetooth setup required.
Item Description:
The Candy Corn proximity sensor switch is highly sensitive and does not require a physical touch to activate. Just wave your hand or other portion of your body within 10 millimeters of the switch to activate. Visual and auditory cues occur when the switch is activated. Candy Corn is not compatible with TrackerPro, battery adapted toys, battery operated scissors, and Paint 'N' Swirl.
Additional Resources:
Power Cards and Power Cards: Using Special Interests (Books 94783 and 95971)
Instructional Strategy or Evidence-Based Practice:
Power Cards
Suggested Use:
Power Cards are a highly motivating tool for use with students who exhibit characteristics of Autism or other developmental delays. Power Cards build on the special interests of students in an effort to reinforce social skills.
Item Description:
Step-by-step book shows parents and educators how to help change an unwanted or inappropriate behavior by capitalizing on the special interests that characterize children and youth with Asperger Syndrome. A brief, motivational text related to the child’s special interest or a highly admired person is combined with an illustration, which is then made into a bookmark or business card- sized Power Card that the child can refer to whenever needed. For younger children, the special interest or hero is incorporated into a short story.
Additional Resource:
Article: Using a Multicomponent Adapted Power Card Strategy...
Predictable Charts: Shared Writing for K-1 (Book 90749)
Instructional Strategy or Evidence-Based Practice:
Suggested Use:
This instructional strategy can be used in small groups or one-on-one. The article below explains how to use it with CORE words.
Item Description:
Shared Writing for Kindergarten and First Grade. Explains the "predictable charts" concept for teachers and presents sixty of them designed for kindergartners and first graders, including easy "I" charts, charts to follow books and field trips, and charts for special days, themes, and topics.
Additional Resources:
Article: PrAACtical Teaching in the ASD Classroom: Predictable Chart Writing with Core Vocabulary
Keystone Area Education Agency
Email: info@aea1.k12.ia.us
Website: www.aea1.k12.ia.us
Location: Elkader, IA, United States
Phone: 800-632-5918
Facebook: facebook.com/keystoneaea1
Twitter: @keystoneaea