by Debbie Marsh, Disaboom
Special education needs can be hard to fill when you have special needs kids. So many other tasks fill your day that finding the right educational technology can go to the bottom of your list.
We’ve gathered together some products that will assist special needs kids in learning a variety of skills that will transfer to the classroom. Several of these are equally beneficial for normal-ability kids, so siblings can benefit as well. A variety of subjects are covered, including social skills.
1. ATKidSystems recently introduced Learning for Children software designed for the preschool set. In addition to the 18 educational activities, this software gathers data while the child is playing the games so that performance can be evaluated. Auditory, hand-to-eye coordination, and verbal comprehension skills are among those targeted for children three to five years old.
In addition, the same company’s flagship product, Cosmo’s Learning Systems, compatible with MAC and Windows, is suitable for all children ages two to eight, whether they are special needs kids or not. Parents will find the software benefits physical, occupational and speech/language development.
2. Special education keyboarding programs for physically disabled, learning disabled, dyslexic and visually impaired students at every grade level are the specialty at the Teacher’s Institute for Special Education. Their typing programs are designed to increase speed and skill at keyboard typing, with the added benefit of better spelling and reading skills.
They will make a custom-designed keyboard for specific needs, such as a one-handed user who is also blind or dyslexic. A daily lesson plan is available which addresses special-needs kids.
3. Math proficiency and music team up at Rock N Go. Their award-winning software for special education needs combines fun, hip music with mathematics in a program that is especially useful for special needs kids with attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia and dyscalculia.
The products are designed to be stimulating and fun, while enhancing audio, visual, small motor and tactile learning domains. Ten music genres are covered with a CD an workbook. Check out the audio sample on their site.
4. A seven-step gradual discrete method for teaching reading is offered by Compu Thera. It’s especially useful for special needs kids with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD and those who are visual learners who have trouble learning just by observation.
The program is based on methods recently pioneered at Johns Hopkins and other learning institutions. A combination of images, symbols, words, phrases and music teach reading in a way that complements traditional learning. Visual and audio cues support new language and communication skills that lead to reading in special needs kids.
5. Text and graphics publishing hits a new high with the latest tool from Canvastic. The latest 3.5 version is powerful yet user-friendly for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Not just another toy graphic, Canvastic adjusts to the user automatically, and includes a spell checker, transparent colors and much more. Photos automatically scale themselves, and users can download and insert ITunes. Canvastic works on Windows and MAC, and is now available as an online application with nothing to install.
6. Originally designed as a school experiment, Challenging Our Minds (COM) is now a permanent cognitive skills enhancement program that has spawned three research projects. Studies show that the program actually increases intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and state test scores.
Brain skills such as those needed for attention, collecting and processing information, memory, visual and auditory processing, problem solving and communications are increased with COM, which can benefit children through adults with and without special education needs. The program runs in your browser, and you pay on a monthly basis with no contract, so you can stop any time.
7. Language, reading and cognition software for special needs kids or adults is the focus of Laureate Learning. Founded more than 20 years ago, the company offers talking programs that will teach cause and effect, basic vocabulary, grammatical forms and language concepts.
All of their software is designed for people with autism, language-learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, physical impairments, traumatic head injury and aphasia. Special-needs kids can choose from a touch-screen, single switch or mouse for accessibility. Animation makes these programs fun and encourages independence, while a data-collection system evaluates performance.
8. How do you teach social skills on the computer and get your child to pay attention? Try Model Me Kids, which offers an array of engaging videos for school (with topics such as Share, Say Sorry, and Show Interest in Others) and play (Stay with Friend, Losing is OK, Eye Contact).
Children with autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS, nonverbal learning disorders and other special education needs make perfect candidates for the videos, although all children can benefit from social skills reinforcement.
9. Reading and math software for children with Asperger syndrome, high-functioning autism and ADD/ADHD is the specialty at Mangoon. The company starts with an individual assessment so reading and writing levels are targeted to your child’s specific needs.
Students go at their own pace, building confidence with fun and motivating games that use high-end graphics with engaging themes. The award-winning program is aligned to state and national standards and works great for special needs kids.
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