Beth Waite, MA-CCC/SLP-ATP

Assistive Technology Specialist, beth@bethwaitetech.com

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Professional Development Opportunities/Workshops -  all sessions include practical strategies that have been implemented in actual classrooms with real students and include numerous pictures and videos. The length can be adjusted for increased content or hands-on components.  Sessions can be combined to create a full day learning opportunity.  Contact Beth for more information.

NEW Presentations:

 

 

 

 iPod/iPad University:  Using iPods to Reach and Teach Students with Autism and Developmental Disabilities (lots of people can show apps...this training teaches you HOW to use these devices, great apps, and ways to integrate thes devices into functional learning).  4-6 hours

 

Switch It Up:  Move to Communicate - Going Beyond Cause and Effect to Provide Access for Students with Severe Disabilities. Using switch activated toys and leisure items, voice output devices and computer software is not a new concept for students with multiple disabilities. However, often our students with the most significant challenges get stuck in the "cause and effect" stage and never progress to more sophisticated strategies. Or, because of limited seating/positioning, they are deemed unlikely candidates for switch use and subsequently denied access. This session will show you simple positioning tricks to increase switch use and ways to teach and monitor sophisticated switch use. Learn how to get even the most complicated students moving and communicating through real classroom examples.

4-6 hours

 


  Title  DescriptionLength
  "Picture Students" Reading and Writing This presentation shows how to increase the literacy skills of elementary and middle school students with moderate-to-severe physical, speech and learning disabilities by using computer-supported reading and writing software.  Learn how the book-authoring program, My Own Bookshelf, allows students of all ages and abilites the opportunity to create computerized books. General education students use this program as a motivational tool for writing. 

2-4

hours

  

Extreme Classroom Makeover

  Learn how to complete an "extreme" makeover in your preschool room or class designed for students with special needs.  It usually isn't lack of expensive equipment that is the barrier; it tends to be organization, physical layout, inaccessible curriculm or behavior issues.  Parents and colleagues will "ooh and aahh" when seeing your new room "revealed" after incorporating strategies from this session. 2 hours
  Make Your Own Switch You can easily adapt battery operated toys and devices to activate with a switch.  During this session you will learn how to make your own switch with built-in battery interruptor to adapt toys or devices.  Worried about inflicting bodily harm on yourself?  No power tools or soldering irons necessary.  2 hours
  How to Set Up Your Home for the Nonverbal Child  Through video demonstations and discussion learn how to set up each room in your house with picture symbols to promote functional communication for children with limited verbal skills.2-4  hours
  Teach Your Computer To Read There are a variety of text-to-speech software programs out there to help students.  This presentation highlights features and capabilites of several popular programs.  Classroom applications and examples are provided. 4 hours
  Visual Strategies:  Now I See it, Now I Do It Students with autism and other developmental disorders greatly benefit from picture support to get meaning about their environment.  See examples of picture schedules. behavior cards, and other cues to faciliate functional communication and maintain behavior in the classroom. 4 hours
  Audio Files - "the .wav of the future!" Learn how to record audio files for playback in your computer or a portable media device. See and hear how to use free audio recording programs including  Audacity, and Sound Recorder to record classroom instructions, social skills scripts, articulation drills, or anything your student needs to listen to independently. Students can even record their answers in their own voices for teachers to hear and grade.   2-4 hours
  Learn Your ABC's: Autism, Behavior and Communication Learn how environmental modifications, social skills training, and visual strategies can be used to design effective programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Techniques provided can be incorporated in general education or self-contained classes. After this session, you will truly know your "ABC"s.
 4-6 hours
  Video Modeling for Positive Behavior Video modeling is an instructional technique that helps children acquire new skills by watching behavior that was performed by another individual, and then imitating that behavior. Research has found that many children with autism process visual information more effectively than auditory information. Learn how to write a social script, video tape the segments and edit the project. Using video modeling to teach children with autism taps into their strongest processing modality and is a great method for all young children, regardless of ability.

  4-6

 hours

  "Using What You Already Have"  - Features of MS Word  You Can Use Now! Microsoft Word has numerous built-in features to assist the struggling reader and writer.  This session can be provided as a hands-on one at your computer or as a demonstration.  You will not believe all the things you and your students can do in Word.  From this day forward, you will be using "auto summarize", "highlighting", "templates" and more! 2-4 hours
   A.T. on a Budget Dollar stores and discount stores are hidden treasures of A.T. devices. See real world examples of everyday common items that can be used to support student learning.  S - T- R- E- T- C- H your budget with this session. 2 hours
  Switch-Accessible Computers The computer can be a great learning tool for a student with limited physical skills.  This session teaches you what hardware and software you need to give the student who is unable to use a traditional keyboard or mouse a chance to play and learn on the computer. 2-4 hours
  

Assistive Tech 101

(or "What is A.T. and how will I know it when I see it?")

 Introduction to Assistive Technology (A.T.) strategies and services.  Includes numerous resources to help educational teams with program development.  Great session for administrators, principals, and anyone new to the field. 2 hours