What disabilities do you think of when you hear "high-incidence disabilities?" Do you think of individuals who can function on a high level? Do you think of the more severe disabilities? Well, put all pre-conceived notions aside. High-incidence disabilities are called by this term because of the large number of individuals under this term. These can include mild learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional and behavioral disorders. Children with mild learning disabilities learn at a much slower rate and the deficits last across ones life. Students with high-incidence disabilities receive all or most of their education in an general education setting.
Many people think of the term assistive technology as to “technology.” Well, AT refers to any adaptive device which aids in an individual to function at the highest level in their surroundings. Children with high-incidence disabilities may require the use of assistive technology. Students with mild disabilities may need technology in order for them to be successful in subject areas such as: math, spelling, reading, writing, and basic skills such as organization.
The following websites may be useful:
A great website for accommodations which can be applied at school or home is: http://www.valdosta.edu/coe/ecre/ATRB/AT_considerati_resource.htm. Some great tips to try at home are:
· For improved writing try pencil grips, place the paper on a 2 inch binder (for the slant), or a word processing document.
· For improved spelling the child can create their own picture dictionary or a handheld spellchecker.
· For improved reading skills tape record the stories and let the students listen to the book on tape. Then they can go back and read with the voice on the tape to build fluency. If the child seems to be mixing up letters (resembling dyslexia) or the letters “move” on the page color overlays may improve their reading.