Assistive Technology Toolkit to Increase Access to Early Learning Environments for Young Children With Disabilities

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen C. Sadao ◽  
Jennifer Brown ◽  
Debbie Grant
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Emergent Literacy ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities

Abstract The development of assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions for young children with disabilities is rapidly expanding with a range of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech approaches to provide access to adapted and augmented tools for participation in inclusive early childhood settings. Discrepancies exist in the legal requirements to consider AT and AAC for all children in the IFSP/IEP planning process. Researchers in the applications of AT and AAC with young children identify the importance of activity-based approaches that infuse AT methods and AAC systems within natural routines for young children. This article focuses on the development of an AT Toolkit Guide for early intervention and early childhood providers. The development of the AT Toolkit concept, content, and applications is based on research-based methods and tools with demonstrated effectiveness to promote language development, emergent literacy skills, play, mobility, and interaction with the environment for young children with disabilities. Suggested items, sources, applications and development guidelines for the SWEET AT Toolkit are provided.

Supporting Early Childhood Outcomes through Assistive Technology

2010 ◽  
pp. 339-359
Author(s):  
Diane Plunkett ◽  
Rashida Banerjee ◽  
Eva Horn
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Family Outcomes ◽  
Early Childhood Professionals ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities ◽  
Early Childhood Outcomes ◽  
Outcomes For Children

Assistive technology (AT) makes it possible for young children with disabilities to learn, play, and build relationships. By improving their mobility, communication, and access to their environment, AT allows children with disabilities more freedom and independence. The purpose of this chapter is to guide early childhood professionals with examples and recommendations for the integration of AT in natural environments to meet early childhood outcomes for children up to the age of five. This chapter is organized in three sections. Section 1 briefly discusses the legal background in early childhood services as it applies to AT. Section 2 describes the framework for meeting young children’s needs for AT within the context of early childhood outcomes. Section 3 presents the application of AT in meeting recommended family outcomes. The Additional Readings section to this chapter offers relevant articles and research reports in the area of early childhood and AT.

Impact of Challenging Behavior on Marginalized and Minoritized Caregivers of Children With Disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 027112142110520
Author(s):  
Nicole B. Adams ◽  
Stacy N. McGuire ◽  
Hedda Meadan ◽  
Melanie R Martin ◽  
Adriana K. Terol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Common Occurrence ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Interpretation ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities ◽  
The Impact

Challenging behavior (CB) is a common occurrence in early childhood and frequently occurs in young children with disabilities. CB is also culturally perceived and includes differences in how caregivers understand and define the topography of CB. Despite the cultural interpretation, CB is known to impact the child and their family but there has been little exploration of what marginalized caregivers perceive as the impact of the CB that their young children with disabilities exhibit. We used semi-structured interviews to explore the perceptions of 24 caregivers, who identified as Black, Mexican American, and White, about the impact of their child’s CB. Caregivers shared how the CB impacted themselves, their families, their child, and others. Although much of the impact was similar among caregivers, we discuss nuanced differences across ethnic groups.

Early Childhood Intervention in China

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhu Zheng ◽  
Susan P. Maude ◽  
Mary Jane Brotherson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Early Childhood Intervention ◽  
Educational Practices ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities ◽  
Childhood Intervention

Abstract With rapid economic development and increasing awareness of the importance of early childhood intervention (ECI), China is re-examining its social and educational practices for young children with disabilities. This re-examination may have a significant impact on young children with disabilities in China. It may also set an example for other developing nations. This article discusses ECI in China including relevant policies, laws, and practices. Currently, the current policies and laws related to ECI are rarely implemented in China and ECI is facing immense problems. In order to help promote the re-examination of ECI in China, the authors suggest areas of improvement for policies and practices in China in order to better support children, families, and service providers.

Authenticity in Early Childhood Assessment

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Macy ◽  
Steven J. Bagnato
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Early Childhood Intervention ◽  
Early Childhood Assessment ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities ◽  
Conventional Tests ◽  
Practice Standards ◽  
Childhood Intervention

Conventional tests and testing practices are at odds with professional “best practice” standards in early childhood intervention. Moreover, conventional tests have been neither developed for nor field-validated on young children with disabilities for early intervention purposes. Dramatic changes are emerging in the assessment of young children, particularly those with developmental delays/disabilities. Interdisciplinary professionals must know and adhere to the professional practice standards for assessment in early childhood intervention. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) standards promote authentic assessment as the evidence-based alternative for young children to prevent the misrepresentation of young children with disabilities—the mismeasure of young children (Bagnato, Neisworth & Pretti-Frontczak, 2010).

Assessing the Influence of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices on Families of Young Children with Disabilities

1994 ◽  
Vol 78 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1361-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard P. Parette
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities ◽  
Communication Devices

The provision of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to young children with disabilities is discussed in the context of potential effects on family functioning, followed by a call for research.

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