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Hot Topics
Hot topics are categorized according to the topics listed in the "Table of Contents" below. Either scroll down the page or click the links to go straight to the desired heading for information on a specific topic.
Please feel free to send comments, requests, or additions to the advisory committee in care of Maureen Melonis.
Table of Contents:
Topic of Discussion:
Early Childhood and Assistive Technology
When people hear the word technology, they often think of computers, but, assistive technology includes many simple adaptations and modifications that are beneficial for infants and toddlers too. For example, something as simple as a rolled towel can help a child with motor difficulties to prop up on their elbows. A large weighted spoon may make it easier to eat. Teaching young children gestures or sign language can help them learn to communicate. All these are examples of assistive technology for early childhood. This “Hot Topics” will explore various resources, web sites and assistive technology solutions for early childhood. Some of the many benefits of using AT with young children include improving self esteem, reducing child and adult frustration, and enabling independence in daily life. In addition, AT can change the expectations of others for a child's abilities and enable active play, rather than passive, which is crucial to child development.
Cool Ideas and Resources:
The highlights below feature useful resources to increase use of assistive technology for young children ages birth to three years. These are just a few ideas and resources which may be helpful.
- Library Backpacks –
 Through a relationship between the Colorado Department of Education Early Childhood Connections of Douglas and Arapahoe Counties, the Douglas County Library and Assistive Technology Partners, at UCD, adapted backpacks are available for loan to families in local libraries.
The backpacks became available in mid-2005 for short-term loans in four Arapahoe and Douglas libraries. They proved so valuable, that libraries cannot keep them on the shelves. The backpacks contain books and toys relevant to a particular theme (farms, music, all about me, bugs). Parents can check out the backpacks from the library and use them to interact with their children at home. The backpacks contain resource cards with ideas for play with children with various disabilities.
- AT Early Childhood Specialists – This link takes you to the list of early childhood resource specialists throughout Colorado.
Websites To Explore
These are some of the favorite internet sites of the ATP staff. Check out a few, they are awesome!
Web Resources:
- www.ataccess.org/resources/wcp/endefault.html The Alliance for Technology Access provides information on how to adapt toys for children with disabilities.
- letsplay.buffalo.edu This website of the Let's Play Project offers ideas about enhancing play opportunities to children including assistance with positioning, mobility, communication and toys.
- www.lburkhart.com This site provides useful information about assistive technology from hands on information to web and vendor resources.
- http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/ec/Profile5.htm This website contains great ideas as well as examples of the various ways assistive technology aids small children with their development in the pre-school classroom. Included are descriptions of many different types of hardware which boost children’s autonomy by allowing them to develop decision-making skills, participate in class discussions, literacy skills, and learn consequences to their actions.
- http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html This contains a comprehensive list of a large number of considerations when using assistive technology. This website walks one through all the steps taken for evaluation of a person with assistive technologies needs, as well as frequently asked questions, hints for parents, case studies, and guidelines for making assistive technology decisions. Also included is funding for assistive technologies, how to apply for funding, and tips that lead to success. In addition, many low cost, low technology solutions are listed to aid children in their development. For those who are just beginning to learn about assistive technologies as well as those who are already advocates, this site has a plethora of information which may be helpful in the process of choosing assistive technology devices that will provide appropriate services to children.
- http://www.circ.uab.edu/Sparks/Speech/cburk.htmThis website contains great ideas for augmentative communication. When augmentative communication and spoken language are used together, children respond better, because more knowledge on the meaning of words is obtained. Examples of augmentative communication for children are simple signs, object boards or boxes, picture boards or displays, and tape recorders. These devices can greatly improve a young child’s ability to communicate and interact with others.
Web Resources with Activities for Kids:
- www.funsoftware.com Create your own books using My Own BookShelf by SoftTouch this site provides an authoring program that allows you to create books, and categorize them into bookshelves. Children can pick their books from the bookshelf and read using a variety of access devices.
- www.mightybook.com Free Books Online: There are also many free books available to play and view on line. Some examples are www.storyplace.org or www.starfall.com
- http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/resources/restop.htmPriory Woods School – This is a wonderful resource for early childhood and literacy/early reading and writing skills. In addition to numerous other resources, the site contains switch videos. These videos contain animations or slideshows set to music, which can be controlled by a range of common assistive access devices. They are designed to help children understand and generalize cause and effect (the action/reaction bond), one of the foundation stones for early learning. All of the videos can be played online or downloaded for use on a PC or Macintosh computer. If you have slow internet access, you’ll probably want to download them before using them with a child. The narration does have an English accent. There are activities for young children in the kids section. Try “The Sleepy Farmer” for a great narration with animal photos and sound effects.
- http://www.do2learn.com Do 2 Learn – Visit for free downloads of clever songs and activities. In particular there are safety songs such as crossing the street and what to do in a fire. Click on free areas (left hand side of front page) and games to see some of the early childhood options.
- http://www.meddybemps.com– This site contains preschool/early elementary activities and games for writing, matching, categorizing, mouse control and much more. There is no sound with the activities so some children may not be engaged. Most activities require and adult to sit with the child to explain directions and keep them engaged. The puzzles provide a nice opportunity for working on mouse skills.
- www.littleclickers.com This web site is a compilation of numerous links to resources for children. Although it is intended for 3-12 year olds, we found valuable resources there.
Training and Professional Development Opportunities
Training Resources
Last Updated: August 6 , 2008
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