Assistive Technology For those with Attention Deficit Disorder

Assistive Technology For those with Attention Deficit Disorder

What is ADD? ? • ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder is a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination.

IMAGINE! • You walk into your classroom and it feels like one big commotion. You hear and analyze everything each person is saying, all at once! Your teacher, your peers, the sounds echoing down the hallway, the soothing drum escaping from the vents. You notice the pencil sitting on your desk has a brand new 3 D eraser and you cannot wait to get your hands on it! You teacher asks you to take a seat, but you can hear your friend talking about the new scary movie you guys went to see this past weekend and you would like to engage…. WHAM! On your desk is a pop quiz from the math lesson that was taught in class ten minutes ago… What have you learned…?

ADD • ADD can cause – Lack of attentiveness – Impulsive behavior Other symptoms of ADD can also be - Hyper activity This is called ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Assistive Technology • Some Forms of Assistive Technology for ADD/ADHD are: – Print or picture schedule – • Highlight text (e. g. markers, highlight tape, ruler, etc. ) – • Recorded material (books on tape, taped lectures with number coded index, etc. ) – • Voice output reminders for assignments, steps of task, etc. – • Electronic organizers – • Pagers and electronic reminders – • Single word scanners – • Hand-held scanners – • Software for concept development/manipulation of objects – • Software for outlining and organization of ideas – • Palm computers

Low Technical Aids • Index Tabs • Color Coded Folders • Highlighted Key Words/ Terms