AT Process
AT for Academics
If you think a student may be in need of assistive technology for academics, whether due to difficulties in reading, writing, math, or organization needs, the first step is to try implementing interventions. If they work, add them to the IEP and no academic AT is needed.
If interventions do not work, discuss technology with the IEP team. If the area of need is for writing, consult with your building OT at this point. For any other area of need (or for writing if there is no solution after consulting with your OT), obtain consent from the family for an AT consultation. Email that consent form, once signed, to your building's AT Specialist (cindy.little@d49.org or allison.apeland@d49.org). If you're not sure who your building's AT specialist is, email both Cyndi and Allison.
After sending the consent to AT, the case manager can fill out the google request form, linked here and below. Please be sure to include the most recent hearing and vision data (and OT data, if applicable).
Academic Consultation Request Form
AT for Communication
If you have communication related concerns for a student and you think AT might be useful, please go through the following process:
Determine if the student receives speech-language services.
- If yes, implement speech interventions.
- If they are successful, great! Monitor the student's progress.
- If they are not successful, complete a consultation request.
- If no, start the MTSS/RTI process.
- If this helped, great! Monitor the student's progress.
- If not, consider seeking a speech evaluation.
If, after following the entire process, including seeking input from the student's SLP, the school team has decided that the student would benefit from AT for Communication, please complete the form listed below or on the consultation request page.
Any new AAC requests should come directly from the student's SLP. Other team members may request cause and effect toys, training, an observation of a particular student, and/or repairs/replacements of devices.
On the AT for AAC Form, you will see the following areas as options for requests:
Complete Student Observation - Select this option if you would like support working with a student who currently uses AAC and has been previously recommended to the AT team. Select this option if you need help integrating AAC into your lessons, determining reasons for AAC breakdowns/abandonments, etc. During an onservation, the AT SLP will visit the student at their building and meet with the student's teachers, paraprofessionals, SLP, and other members of the IEP team.
Complete Student Consultation - Select this option if you would like support determining the best AAC system for a student who does not currently receive AT supports but who may benefit from AT supports for communication. During a consultation, the AT SLP may complete several trial sessions with the student, observe the student across different environments, and interview members of the student's IEP team. The team may be asked to complete a SETT form (student, environment, task, technology). The AT SLP will complete a formal consultation summary request wherein recommendations for communication related AT will be listed.
Specific AT Items/Devices - Select this option if you know which device you would like to trial with a student or if you have cause and effect items that you would like to have changed. For example, if you have a student whom you know would benefit from Proloquo2Go rather than the TD Snap that they have, select this option to give it a try.
Training - Select this option to request training on a specific AAC related topic for yourself, your team, your student, or your student's family.
Repair/Replace Request - Select this option if your student's device is not working and/or needs to be repaired or replaced. Also select this option if your student needs a new case, a new charger, or batteries.