All of my blog posts discuss Assistive Technology for students. I want to take a closer look at AT with students with learning disabilities. "Learning disabilities do not go away with time. However, assistive technology can help children with learning disabilities leverage their strengths and work around or compensate for specific learning problems. These supports can be key to helping users become more independent in school and throughout life — on the job and in activities for daily living." (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education

When using Assistive Technology with students who have learning disabilities, the focus is mainly on adapting processing and output. As I was researching LD (learning disabilities) online, I found a site which gives you the characteristics of learning disabilities. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Typical characteristics of students with LD are listed below.  These characteristics, taken independently or in combination do not necessarily indicate a learning disability.

Reading

• Confusion of similar words, difficulty using phonics, problems reading multi-syllable words.
• Slow reading rate and/or difficulty adjusting speed to the nature of the reading task.
• Difficulty with comprehension and retention of material that is read, but not with material presented orally.

Writing

• Difficulty with sentence structure, poor grammar, omitted words.
• Frequent spelling errors, inconsistent spelling, letter reversals.
• Difficulty copying from board or overhead.
• Poorly formed letters, difficulty with spacing, capitals, and punctuation.

Oral Language

• Difficulty memorizing basic facts.
• Difficulty expressing ideas orally which the student seems to understand.
• Problems describing events or stories in proper sequence.
• Residual problems with grammar, difficulty with inflectional or derivational endings.

Math

• Difficulty memorizing basic facts.
• Confusion or reversal of numbers, number sequence, or operational symbols.
• Difficulty reading or comprehending word problems.
• Problems with reasoning and abstract concepts.

Study Skills

• Poor organization and time management.
• Difficulty following directions.
• Poor organization of notes and other written materials.
• Need more time to complete assignments.

Social Skills

• Difficulty "reading" facial expressions, body language.
• Problems interpreting subtle messages such as sarcasm.
• Confusion in spatial orientation, getting lost easily, difficulty following directions.
• Disorientation in time, difficulty telling time

Wren, C. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pepperdine.edu/disabilityservices/students/ldcharacter.htm

A high-tech type of AT for a student with a learning disability for example; dyslexia, could use a Text-to-Speech device. The student could highlight what they need to read and it would read it for them. It is not that the student can not read but they have difficulty reading since the letters seem jumbled up. Another type of high tech AT is word prediction software for students to choose a word from the list provided by the software. 

A low-tech type of AT for a student with a learning difficulty could be a book mark type of tool where you place it under the line of the text you are reading. This keeps the student focused on one line at a time so they are not over whelmed. Another low-tech device is a Light Pen. 

A sensory disability is a person with a disability that has any of the long-lasting conditions such as blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment. Characteristics include hearing impairment, vision impairment and auditory. 

A low tech type of AT would be a pencil grip. This helps students hold the pencil and they can write more clearly. Another type of low tech AT is raised line paper. The students can feel where the lines are on the paper. 

A high tech device to use is Big Keys – one of several alternative large letter, abc order keyboards for young children or students with motor or cognitive challenges difficulties.  Another would be Earobics which is an auditory discrimination reading software.