May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! This is a time to spotlight the unique needs of students with speech and hearing challenges, as well as recognize the speech-language pathologists and audiologists who support them.
In 2024, speech and language impairments were the second most common qualifying disability for students who received special education, making up about 18% of those students. Another 1% were Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Altogether, that’s more than 35,000 students in Indiana public schools! (Source: Indiana Department of Education).
In the classroom, speech, language, and hearing impairments may show up as difficulty pronouncing words, conversing with peers, understanding instructions, or engaging with educational materials. Assistive technology can bridge these gaps by enhancing access, supporting speech and language development, and fostering interaction. Here are some valuable tools:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC):
AAC aims to supplement or replace verbal speech. It enables students to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions effectively, enhancing their ability to interact with others and participate in daily life. This can be as simple as no-tech tools like communication boards, or as complex as high-tech tools like dedicated speech-generating devices utilizing a flexible communication software (e.g., TD Snap, Proloquo2Go, Grid, TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life).
Some students using AAC may need alternative access methods to effectively interact with the software, such as switch access, head tracking, or eye gaze.
Hearing Support Tools:
Live captioning devices, classroom sound systems, personal sound amplifiers, and noise-canceling headphones can help students with hearing loss focus on teachers’ voices and reduce background distractions.
Ready to explore how assistive technology can empower your students with speech and hearing needs? Reach out to ATLAS or peruse our catalog to discover tools and strategies available to try in your classroom!
Happy Speech-Language-Hearing Month!
A huge THANK YOU to all the amazing Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists out there! Your dedication, compassion, and expertise change lives every single day. From helping children find their voice to supporting those with hearing challenges, your impact is truly noticed and valued. We celebrate YOU this month and always!
Eye-tracking technology, originally developed for medical research, is now used in assistive technology to help individuals with limited mobility control computers and communication devices using only their eye movements. Learn more: https://us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/what-is-eye-tracking
Last Day for loans for 2024-2025 school year
The last day to submit a loan request to the ATLAS Lending Library for this school year will be May 5th after which the library will suspend most loan services until the fall. All loans requested on or before May 5th will have a due date of May 30th. Loans requested after May 5th will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please include any relevant information in the "comments" section at the end of the checkout process. This would include if a student has an Extended School Year, or the educator is working during the summer. If you need assistance contacting a manufacturer to receive a demo device during this time, please contact atlaslib@eastersealscrossroads.org and we will do our best to assist. Please reach out to us with any questions!
Check out two of our newest devices!
Mini-Lite Box Overlays
Mini-Lite Box Overlays enable teachers to build visual complexity and customize lessons according to the needs of their learner. Using color, light, and increasing levels of complexity, Mini-Lite Box Overlays can be layered for many different purposes. Used for instruction or assessment in color identification, shape identification, and counting by adding layers according to each student’s level of visual complexity.
Grid for iPad
Grid for iPad is a complete communication solution that enables students to have a voice, control their environment and live more independent lives. Grid software on iOS gives instant access to a range of text and symbol based communication and apps for touch access.
Grid comes in over 40 languages including French, Spanish, German, Norwegian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Italian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Polish, and many more. Grid has hundreds of voices and accents for children.
