Assistive Technology for Infants and Toddlers: Resources

Books

Family Guide to Assistive Technology
Katharin A. Kelker & Roger Holt
Brookline Books, 2000
Call Number: WB 320 .K29 2000
Online Catalog: http://illinoisearlyintervention.worldcat.org/oclc/42413370
This guide was written for both parents and professionals. It explains how to obtain, evaluate, and make the most of assistive technologies in helping young children with special needs.

Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice
Albert M. Cook & Susan M. Hussey
Mosby, 2002
Call Number: WB 320 .C771 2002
Online Catalog: http://illinoisearlyintervention.worldcat.org/oclc/48256524
This text covers assistive technologies, their use, a glossary of terms, a history of the field, standards of performance, case studies, and more.

Clinician’s Guide to Assistive Technology
Don A. Olson & Frank DeRuyter (Eds.)
Mosby, 2001
Call Number: WB 320 .C64184 2001
Online Catalog: http://illinoisearlyintervention.worldcat.org/oclc/47217037
This book contains 26 chapters written by experts in assistive technology (AT). Intended for caregivers, teachers, and clinicians, this guide provides specific information on technical options available, expertise requirements, specific goals, and ideal applications of AT.

Choices in Deafness: A Parent’s Guide to Communication Options
Sue Schwartz (Ed.)
Woodbine House, 2007
Call Number: HV 2471 .S399 2007
Online Catalog: http://illinoisearlyintervention.worldcat.org/oclc/122291344
This easy-to-read guide discusses communication options for children who are hearing impaired or deaf.

Videos

Tech for Tots: Assistive Technology for Infants and Young Children
16-minute VHS and kit
USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), 2000
Call Number: WB 320 T255 2000
Online Catalog: http://illinoisearlyintervention.worldcat.org/oclc/45800381
This kit and video provide training materials for professional in-service presentations. Materials cover the purposes of assistive technology (AT) for young children, legal requirements, a family-centered approach, and teaming around AT.

Tools of Inclusion: Assistive Technology for Young Children
30-minute DVD
Western Illinois University, 2007
Call Number: HV1569.5 .T671 2007
Online Catalog: http://illinoisearlyintervention.worldcat.org/oclc/191820764
Web site: http://www.wiu.edu/users/starnetv/mov/apples.html
This Apples Video Magazine presentation demonstrates how children use assistive technology as a learning and inclusion tool. It is also available online:

Web Resources

The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Web site: http://www.fctd.info
This Web site features resources for parents and professionals who work with families of children with disabilities, including fact sheets on assistive technology (AT), an AT glossary, a database of resource reviews, lists of organizations by state, and Spanish-language resources.

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC): Assistive Technology (AT) for Infants, Toddlers and Young Children
Web site: http://www.nectac.org/topics/atech/atech.asp
The NECTAC page on AT includes an overview, an FAQ section, information on federal and state laws on AT, information on universal design, and several extensive bibliographies of articles on AT and early intervention.

Tots-n-Tech Ideas to Share
Web site: http://tnt.asu.edu
The Tots-n-Tech Web site has numerous resources on assistive technology in early intervention, including research papers and lists of organizations. One such resource is this “Ideas to Share” database, which indexes downloadable handouts on activities and ideas that professionals and parents can implement in providing services and care for children.

PACER Center Publications on Assistive Technology
Web site: http://www.pacer.org/publications/stc.asp
This portion of the PACER Web site offers many free, downloadable guides and fact sheets on assistive technology, which are appropriate for professionals and families.

Assistive Technology Facts: Assistive Technology and the IFSP
Vermont Parent Information Center, 2001
Web site: http://www.fape.org/pubs/FAPE-12.pdf
This article explains how to integrate assistive technology into a child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Assistive Technology for Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Disabilities
Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers, 2006
Web site: http://www.taalliance.org/publications/pdfs/all7.pdf
This easy-to-read fact sheet explains assistive technology through a helpful question-and-answer format.

Organizations

Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
Web site: http://www.frcd.org
Created by parents, professionals, and volunteers, FRCD seeks to improve services for all children with disabilities through parent training, special education rights seminars, and information assistance and support through telephone and mail requests. They also maintain an extensive list of Parent Support Groups, which can be found at http://www.frcd.org/pb_parent_coalitions_09.pdf.

Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center
Web site: http://www.fmptic.org
Serving as a parent training and information center for Illinois residents outside of Chicago, this organization seeks to empower parents to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for children with special needs through a toll-free help line, information services, and training opportunities. Parents can subscribe to a quarterly newsletter via the Web site, register for training events, and access other resources.

IllinoisParents.org
Web site: http://www.illinoisparents.org
IllinoisParents.org provides parents in Illinois with a variety of resources on early childhood, including statewide resources and resources organized by county.

Articles

Assistive Technology for Early Childhood. Brian Simms. (2003). Exceptional Parent, 33(8), 72-78.
This article provides a concise overview of the various types and uses of assistive technology and the benefits for young children.

Tech for Tots: Assistive Technology for Infants and Young Children: Part 1 and Part 2. Toni Solano & Sonia K. Aller. (2000). Exceptional Parent, 30(6), 44-47, and Exceptional Parent, 30(7), 64-67.
These articles are adapted from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles training for professionals and parents. Part 1 explains the importance of assistive technology in the development of young children experiencing delays. Part 2 explains the practicalities of obtaining assistive technology devices.