Books and Resources

Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice

The new edition of this popular text presents a model of a disabled human operator using various assistive technologies. Also included: an overview and historical perspective of the field; special disabilities and the use of assistive technologies; how to derive and measure standards of performance; proper positioning when using assistive devices; and more. New to this edition -- a comprehensive glossary; new appendices, including a list of resources and a list of product manufacturers; additional case studies; new illustrations and photographs; and more.

Book of Possibilities - Elem. & Secondary

Practical affordable ideas for educators working with students with severe disabilities.  Now you can provide a range of curriculum-focused activities for your students to be successfully included with their peers. A “must have” resource for all educators. Affordable easy-to-implement inclusion strategies.

Capital Letter Stories

Features stories themed with letter groupings to help children learn each letter in a fun way. The tablet is arranged in developmental progression to keep the child engaged.

Color Bound

This exciting new workbook contains a variety of projects for helping young children learn to color within the lines -- which are also raised lines! In addition, most pictures feature double edge lines. Slightly older students can use a pencil or crayon to trace between the lines and begin to exercise this kind of fine motor tracing control.

Computerized Paper & Pencil Tasks

There are a number of software programs that can be used to computerize paper and pencil tasks like tests, quizzes, lab reports, study guides, but there is not one program that has all the features a student might need.  This book explores different software programs and the features of each.

Edl Core Vocabularies

This is a collection of word lists, alphabetically arranged. It's sources are the textbooks used in grades pre-primary through grade 13. The words are listed by grade level, and then combined in a cumulative list. In the cumulative list, the year in which each word was introduced is given next to the word. Also included are mathematics, science and social studies word lists for grades 1 through 6, as well as a aural comprehension list for adults with low reading skills. No thesaurus is included. This book is most valuable to anyone writing for a target audience of grade school children. It answers the question, "Can I expect a reader in this particular grade to comprehend this particular word?

Handhelds for Teachers & Administrators

This book covers iPods, Podcasting, and handhelds that use the Palm OS 4, Palm OS 5, and Pocket PC operating systems.

I Can Cook Too!

Reflecting colors! Activate your capability switch and watch the vibrating fiber optic strings swirl magically and reflect changing colors of red, green, blue, green, and purple. A wonderful sensory experience.

Intervention Strategies Guide

Intervention Strategies Guide is a tool to help educators provide research-based academic and behavioral intervention strategies to identified students. Numerous strategies are suggested that target specific skills a student has not acquired in the following areas: Reading (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension), Writing, Mathematics (Calculation and Reasoning), and Behavior.

Learn to Letter Tablet with Raised Ruling

The See and Feel Learn to Letter with Raised Ruling reinforces writing within the lines. The embossed raised ruling helps students feel the lines

Making Connections

With dozens of practical applications for voice output communication, Making Connections is a must-have idea book for assistive technology trainers, speech language pathologists and educators. This step-by-step guide includes strategies for introducing voice output communication to students of all abilities, ideas for effective messages, simplified data collection and more. Research-based and approved by leaders in the field. Soft cover, spiral bound, 110 pages.

Math and Technology

Learn how to bring the language and world of math to your students through a full continuum of technology tools. This book is designed to help teachers match assistive and educational technologies to national math standards and to use brain-based teaching strategies to make sure that the lessons "stick." A variety of low-tech tools for measurement, color, problem alignment, highlighting, use of rubber stamps, markerboards, magnifiers, and more will be explored. A comparison of features in calculator categories including talking, giant, conversion, subject specific and money calculators are discussed.

Modifying Texts with Technology

Identifies several ways to modify texts to best meet student needs through the use of a variety of mid tech tools and software programs. Explores a variety of software tools for modifying and computerizing tests and worksheets. Programs used in this book include Microsoft Word, CoWriter 4000 (topic dictionaries), Adobe Acrobat Standard, OmniForm, IntelliTools (locked worksheet), Test Talker, and the form feature of Word.

Organization & Technology

Organizational skills plague many students in --- and out – of special education. Students have problems keeping track of assignments and long-term projects; finding and storing papers; keeping their desks, lockers, and backpacks organized; making their work readable and organized; and prioritizing the importance of competing tasks. This book will provide a way to label what kind of organizational problem the students face (temporal, spatial, categorical, attentional, or prioritization), and then demonstrate a variety of low, mid and high tech tools which can help them be more independent and successful in these areas.

Quick and Easy - Academic with video

Quick and Easy Classroom uses PCS content and vocabulary to help teachers quickly and easily incorporate nonverbal students into the classroom. It includes two types of overlays to be used with augmentative communication devices:  The first set of overlays is centered around core ideas to be used throughout the school year such as art, lunch, a calculator and the alphabet.  The second set of overlays is designed around thematic units to help with instruction.  Both sets of Quick and Easy Classroom show how to meet IEP goals and objectives, and how to set up the classroom with appropriate accommodations.

Quick-Math: Handbook for Everyday Math

QUICK-MATH Handbooks are available in two levels.
(Grades 3–5)  Common math concepts covered are:
     Place value
     Area and volumes
     Estimating
     Averages
     Coordinates
     Algebra
(Grades 6–8)  Math concepts covered are:
     Exponents
     Box and whisker plots
     Ratios
     Mean, median, mode
     Square roots
     Flips, turns, slides

Quick-Word: Handbook for Everyday Writers

Give students the tools they need to become better writers. Each handbook contains more than 1,200 frequently used words and includes space for students to write in their own words. The handbook also includes:
     Homophone guide and sentences
     Days, months, and number words
     Common abbreviations

R.A.P.S.: Reading Activities Project For Older Students

10 "whole language style" stories for older students with rhythm, rhyme (raps-style!), & repetition. Each story includes: story retelling overlay, role play overlay, and extension activities for: art, computer, reading, cooking, gross motor, etc.

Reading and Technology

Summary of all the tools and strategies involved with reading K-12 and technology. 59 pages.

See It Right Kit

A new authentic assessment to identify and remediate visual perceptual problems caused by a sensitivity to light. This assessment is a cost-effective, dynamic program developed specifically for teachers and specialists who work with elementary students. However, it has also been used through the high school level. If your students see moving, reversed or distorted letters and/or words, you can help them see clearly and accurately, using their own books and materials and a piece of colored plastic.

Silly Sally Guided Reading Kit

Rhymes, rhythm, and other predictable language structures to encourage children to join in the shared reading experience.

Singing To Read: Songs For Favorite Children's Books

Story construction songs for 10 favorite children's books, such as: Dear Zoo & Goodnight Moon. All songs are symbolized.

Songs to Communicate 

Songs To Communicate encourages language participation in a fun, lighthearted way with rhythm, melody and repetition of delightful music.

Symbol Songbook: Older Students Sing Out

Includes light tech / high tech "how-to" section + 10 original symbolized songs & 2 traditional symbolized songs.

The AT Continuum 

You will be exposed to a full range of low, mid, and high tech tools (including the use of color, hand held devices, computers, and assistive software) designed to help students function more independently and successfully. Following the belief that people need to know what is available before making choices, this presentation will help participants match needs and strengths to tools; learn about establishing an entire collection of tools to meet variable needs, tasks, and environments; and find out where to get the tools as well as the necessary training. Finally, we will examine the pros and cons of many of the current technologies in order to provide the participants with the best and most thorough options and strategies to consider when making individual or program choices for assistive technology.

The Wonderful World of Word

Microsoft Word is a powerful word processing program that dominates the business and educational field. Many people use it every day for reports and letters, and many students use it for papers and reports. Few teachers, though, have had the time to really explore the myriad of features tucked away in all areas of this program. Fewer still have thought seriously about how these created-for-business features could make a difference for them and their students. This books sets out to show you what you can and should be doing with Word. More than a tutorial for different program parts, this book will show you how to use these program features to make your life in the classroom more productive and creative.

This Is The One I Want

It integrates the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) into a series of 33 entertaining but structured activities and exercises. It is appropriate for any special needs student who enjoys creating simple pictures. The use of the picture symbols also allows for the physically challenged student to participate by directing activities.

Using Assistive Technology Solutions to Meet Literacy Standards

These books are organized by grade level; K-3, 4-6, 7-12. The books provide AT solutions and sample IEP goals, and cover a wide range of AT options, from digital talkers to slide-on pencil grips. Curriculum areas include reading, writing, written and oral composition, listening and speaking.
Each book includes a PDF on a Win/Mac CD with a Classroom License for printouts.

Visual Strategies for Improving Communication

One of the major areas of difficulty for students with autism spectrum disorders is the development of social and communication skills. Communication breakdowns can be a "root" cause of problems in social interaction, educational performance, and behavior. While it is common for educational programming to focus on developing communication skills, that focus in most settings tends to be directed toward developing the student's expressive communication. Comparatively little attention is directed toward increasing the student's ability to understand the communication in his life. This book demonstrates why an inability to effectively take in and understand information can be a significant factor in these student's performance. Visual Strategies for Improving Communication contains numerous easy to use systems and strategies that have proven to help these students significantly improve their ability to understand, express themselves, participate in home and school routines and improve overall behavior.

Write to Talk - Talk to Write!

Supporting Language & Literacy for AAC Users. Includes: writing scaffolds, alternative pencils, vocabulary access ideas, modeled writing, topics, velcro poetry

Accommodations Wheel 

The Accommodations Wheel is a tool to assist teachers, parents, and specialists as they collaboratively make decisions to help students be successful in school. The wheel has six windows on each side. In each window is an area vital to the academic success of students who warrant accommodations. A multitude of strategies are showcased in each window on each side of the wheel. These teacher and student strategies focus on academics and behavior. Some accommodations reference what the teacher can do to provide support while others focus on what the student can do to access instruction successfully.

Critical Thinking Wheel

The Critical Thinking Wheel has six windows on each side. On one side are the Power Words and in each of the six windows are questioning prompts, definitions, and teacher expectations for the lower levels of thinking skills. On the other side are Power Words and in the six windows are higher levels of questioning prompts, definitions, and teacher expectations.

Science Vocabulary Strategies Wheel

The Vocabulary Strategies Wheel provides the teacher with multiple strategies and activities for integrating meaningful vocabulary instruction into science. If students know the language of science, they are far more likely to understand the content of science. This wheel can be used to vertically align your campus vocabulary instruction for science. Available for levels K-5 and 6-8.

Grub to Ladybug

This book has been adapted with Boardmaker symbols.   Includes other activities such as communication symbols, PowerPoints, pocketmods, etc.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This book has been adapted with Boardmaker symbols.   Includes other activities such as communication symbols, PowerPoints, pocketmods, etc.

What's in My Pocket

This book has been adapted with textures.  Includes other activities such as communication symbols, PowerPoints, pocketmods, etc.

Winter is Here

This book has been adapted with Boardmaker symbols.   Includes other activities such as communication symbols, PowerPoints, pocketmods, etc.