Step 1: Initiating the at Process
Referral to an assistive technology process is generally the result of concern by an educational professional and/or a parent or discussion within an existing team that deals with the needs of a student. This individual or team has noted an area of the student’s performance that he/she is unable to participate due to his/her disability. The question being asked is:
“What is it that we expect the student to be able to do within the educational program that he/she isn’t able to do because of his/her disability?”
The answer to this question should be specific. It should be based on concerns noted within the educational goals that have been established for the student. Areas that are often considered include:
handwriting spelling
reading math
written expression communication
mobility recreation
seating/positioning listening
seeing self care
Whether this concern is identified in the IEP process, by an individual during instructional periods, or as a part of another teaming practice (e.g., multi-factored evaluations, intervention assistance processes), there needs to be a conscious initiation of the AT assessment and decision making. Failure to formally initiate the concern runs a serious risk that efforts will not be systematically directed and may be dismissed before they are resolved. Any AT decision-making requires the efforts of a dynamic team approach. The selection of devices or equipment should never be based on the recommendations of a single team member. All persons who are involved with the student in the educational program should have input on the selections being made.