Assistive Technology for Behavior
Teachers use assistive technology to assist students with disabilities in the classroom. Assistive technology can be any device whether low-tech or high-tech that helps a student perform better in the classroom. Behavior often impedes learning in the classroom, so assistive technology may be required to encourage acceptable classroom behaviors.
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Significance
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Many children with disabilities also display behavioral problems. Behavior disorders often accompany conditions such as specific learning disabilities, Asperger's syndrome, autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and emotional disturbance. Behavioral problems may occur as a result of self-esteem issues, organizational problems and frustration.
Function
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Assitive technology for students with behavioral disorders may be designed to help ease the stress associated with classroom transitions. Also, it may be designed to remind students on a regular basis about expected classroom behaviors.
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Electronic Devices
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Types of devices that may be beneficial for students with behavioral concerns include specialized computer software that reminds students about tasks that need to be accomplished and beeper or pagers that send out frequent reminders about tasks and behavior expectations. Also, electronic organizers may be helpful for students with behavioral issues because behavioral problems often occur when students do not know what they should be doing. Simple timers or stop watches also may be used to promote on-task behavior.
Other Helpful Tools
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Assistive technology does not necessarily need to be electronic in nature. Any helpful device qualifies as assistive technology. Other helpful assistive technology tools that may deter unacceptable behaviors include self-graphing behavior charts and social story cards that help students know how to behave in certain situations.
Benefits
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Using assistive technology in the classroom not only benefits the students with disabilities and behaviors problems but it also benefits the entire class because less misbehavior results in more quality instruction time.
Considerations
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Before using assistive technology, teachers, teacher aids and the students who will use the devices need to be thoroughly trained on how to use the devices properly. Training ensures that the devices will be used correctly and will have the greatest possible positive effect on the learning environment.
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