Books
Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice
Albert Cook and Susan Hussey
Mosby, 2002
This text covers assistive technologies, their use, a glossary of terms, a history of the field, standards of performance, case studies, and more.
Call#: WB 320 .C771 2002
Assistive Technology for Young Children: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments
Kathleen Sadao
Brookes Publishing, 2010
This book is a reader-friendly guide to recommended AT practice for children birth to 5. Early childhood professionals and parents will learn about the broad spectrum of AT supports for children with disabilities—from low-cost, low-tech options such as Velcro and homemade switches to higher tech options such as speech-generating software.
Call#: LC 4019.3 .S233 2010
Assistive Technology in Special Education: Resources for Education, Intervention, and Rehabilitation
Joan L. Green
Prufrock Press, Inc., 2014
This book discusses communication devices, assistive computer technology, self-help devices for people with disabilities, special education, technological innovations, and educational technology.
Call#: HV 1568 .G74 2013
Choices in Deafness: A Parent’s Guide to Communication Options
Sue Schwartz (Ed.)
Woodbine House, 2007
This easy-to-read guide discusses communication options for children who are hearing impaired or deaf.
Call#: HV 2471 .S399 2007
Clinician’s Guide to Assistive Technology
Don Olson and Frank DeRuyter (Eds.)
Mosby, 2001
This book contains 26 chapters written by experts in assistive technology (AT). Intended for caregivers, teachers, and clinicians, this guide provides specific information on technical options available, expertise requirements, specific goals, and ideal applications of AT.
Call#: WB 320 .C64184 2001
EZ at 2: Simple Assistive Technology Ideas for Children Ages Birth to Three: A Guide for Increasing Young Children’s Participation in Daily Activities and Routines
PACER Center, 2011.
Divided into daily living categories such as “At Home,” “Meal and Snack Time,” etc., this guide for parents and professionals offers simple, do-it-yourself solutions for anyone who wants to help infants and toddlers with disabilities participate more fully in recreational and other daily activities. Also available as a downloadable PDF.
Call#: LC 4019.3 .P114 2011
Family Guide to Assistive Technology
Katharin Kelker and Roger Holt
Brookline Books, 2000
This guide was written for both parents and professionals. It explains how to obtain, evaluate, and make the most of assistive technologies in helping young children with special needs.
Call#: WB 320 .K29 2000
Foundations of Pediatric Practice for the Occupational Therapy Assistant
Amy Wagenfeld and Jennifer Kaldenberg (Eds.)
Slack, 2005
This book addresses specific pediatric skill sets and employs an interdisciplinary perspective. Each chapter incorporates case studies and discussion questions.
Call#: WS 368 .F771w 2005
How Katie got a voice: (and a cool new nickname)
Patricia Mervine
Trafford Publishing, 2012
This story celebrates that which makes us all unique, but also highlights how sometimes a little help is needed to show us how much we are alike. When Katie is introduced to assistive technology, she is finally able to communicate with her new friends.
Call#: WL 340.2 .M559k 2012
Videos
Assistive Technology for Early Intervention
83 min; online
This free training, presented by the Utah Assistive Technology Program, covers assistive technology ideas for early intervention including: positioning, mobility, adaptive play, computer access, and daily activities of feeding and bathing that are available commercially and/or customized.
Communication Assistive Technology for Early Intervention
52 min; online
This online training sponsored by Utah Assistive Technology Project, covers various types of assistive technology used to support symbolic communication development and the initial strategies to teach children how to communicate using these various communication devices. The training is useful for parents, teachers, speech language pathologists or other professionals who work with children who would benefit from using assistive technology to support communication.
Myths of Assistive Technology Use With Young Children: AT is Computers and Tablets
3 min; online
There are several myths around the use of assistive technology with young children. This video series explores these myths and debunks them. In this first video we look at the perception of assistive technology as only computers and tablets and explore the range that makes up assistive technology.
Tech for Tots: Assistive Technology for Infants and Young Children
16 min; VHS and kit
USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), 2000
This kit and video provide training materials for professional in-service presentations. Materials cover the purposes of assistive technology (AT) for young children, legal requirements, a family-centered approach, and teaming around AT.
Call#: WB 320 T255 2000
Tools of Inclusion: Assistive Technology for Young Children
30 min; DVD
Western Illinois University, 2007
This Apples Video Magazine presentation demonstrates how children use assistive technology as a learning and inclusion tool.
You can watch this video online at the Apples Video Magazine YouTube Channel.
Call#: HV1569.5 .T671 2007
Tools of Inclusion: Assistive Technology for Young Children
30 min; DVD
Western Illinois University, 2007
This Apples Video Magazine presentation demonstrates how children use assistive technology as a learning and inclusion tool.
You can watch this video online at the Apples Video Magazine YouTube Channel.
Call#: HV1569.5 .T671 2007
Assistive Technology: Powerful Solutions for Success
36 min; DVD
Films Media Group, 2012
This DVD shows classrooms where assistive technology is being used to help student with disabilities to become more confident, independent learners.
Call#: HV 1569.5 .As76tec 2009
Understanding Assistive Technology: Simply Said
2 1/2 min; online
The definition of Assistive Technology presented by the PACER Simon Technology Center www.pacer.org/stc
Intro to AT for Young Learners
This video series introduces early intervention and early childhood specialists, parents and others to assistive technology for children with disabilities ages birth to 5.
Organizations
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs
The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) is a national, member-based non-profit organization, comprised of state Assistive Technology Act Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act). ATAP facilitates the coordination of state AT Programs nationally and provides technical assistance and support to its members.
Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center
Serving as a parent training and information center for Illinois residents outside of Chicago, this organization seeks to empower parents to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for children with special needs through a toll-free help line, information services, and training opportunities. Parents can subscribe to a quarterly newsletter via the Web site, register for training events, and access other resources.
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
Created by parents, professionals, and volunteers, FRCD seeks to improve services for all children with disabilities through parent training, special education rights seminars, and information assistance and support through telephone and mail requests. They also maintain an extensive list of Parent Support Groups.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program
IATP’s mission is to increase access to and the acquisition of Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services for individuals of all ages with disabilities.
The Kids Equipment Network
The Kids Equipment Network matches adaptive equipment to a child’s needs in order to make life more accessible. Monthly clinics custom fit kids with equipment that will help them better interact with their world.
Articles
Exceptional Parent, 30(6), 44-47, and Exceptional Parent, 30(7), 64-67
Tech for Tots: Assistive Technology for Infants and Young Children: Part 1 and Part 2
Toni Solano and Sonia Aller. (2000)
These articles are adapted from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles training for professionals and parents. Part 1 explains the importance of assistive technology in the development of young children experiencing delays. Part 2 explains the practicalities of obtaining assistive technology devices.
Exceptional Parent, 33(8), 72-78
Assistive Technology for Early Childhood
Brian Simms. (2003)
This article provides a concise overview of the various types and uses of assistive technology and the benefits for young children.
Young Exceptional Children, 20(2)
Assistive and Instructional Technology: Understanding the Differences to Enhance Programming and Teaching
Collin Shepley, et al. (2017)
Young children who receive early intervention and early childhood special education services (EI/ECSE) may require accommodations to ensure equal access to the same opportunities as peers with typical development. Teachers should be prepared to effectively incorporate research-based AT and IT strategies into their teaching, to provide the highest quality education to the students they serve.
TOYS : Universal Tools for Learning, Communication and Inclusion for Children with Disabilities
This article, published by the PACER Center for Children with Disabilities, offers tips on choosing toys and easy adaptations that can be made for children with disabilities.
Web Resources
Assistive technology basics
This site provides several articles on assistive technology. Topics include a description of AT, examples, and school-related issues.
Assistive Technology for Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Disabilities
This easy-to-read downloadable PDF fact sheet explains assistive technology through a helpful question-and-answer format. Also in Spanish.
Center on Technology and Disability
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the center offers many free, downloadable guides and fact sheets on assistive technology that are appropriate for professionals and families. Spanish language materials are also available.
Assistive Technology at Home: Easy Adaptations for Daily Living
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.
EITP: Assistive Technology (AT) Resources
The Early Intervention Training Program (EITP) website offers a variety of resources pertaining to Assistive Technology (AT). For EI Providers, remember that the Early Intervention Provider Handbook also includes the service description, qualified staff, and billing codes and rates for Assistive Technology in the Illinois Early Intervention System.
How to Try Assistive Technology with your Infant, Toddler, or Preschooler
This article provides advice on trying out different assistive technology devices in the home. Also in Spanish.
PACER Center Publications on Assistive Technology
This portion of the PACER Web site offers many free, downloadable guides and fact sheets on assistive technology, which are appropriate for professionals and families.
TIKES – Technology to Improve Kids’ Educational Success
This portion of the PACER Web site offers an on demand video series to help educate and inform parents and professionals about using assistive technology with young learners.
The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA): Assistive Technology (AT) for Infants, Toddlers and Young Children
The page on AT includes an overview, information on federal and state laws on AT, training resources, information on universal design for learning, and several extensive bibliographies of articles on AT and early intervention.
Where Can Parents Find Help for Young Children with Special Needs? (IEL)
Every child is unique, but some children face extra physical or learning challenges. Parents often have questions about sources of information and support. This FAQ addresses many of the questions that parents have asked the Illinois Early Learning project staff over the past few years and suggests resources that parents of young children may find useful. Also in Spanish.