Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Referral

An Assistive Technology (AT) Referral connects your team with SASED’s AT specialists to evaluate, support, and build capacity around the use of technology that promotes student access, communication, and learning. Our team serves students from Early Childhood through Transition and offers comprehensive services including student-specific evaluations, staff coaching, and tailored professional development.

The referral process often begins with a student-specific evaluation, where the AT team collaborates closely with educators and families to assess a student’s needs and trial a continuum of tools—from low-tech to high-tech. Recommendations are made based on data, student engagement, team input, and alignment with IEP goals. Following evaluations, our team provides coaching and professional development to ensure effective implementation of tools and strategies across environments.

Assistive Technology Evaluations Include:

• Review of current IEPs, goals, and all recent evaluations

• Observations of the student across relevant settings

• Trials using a range of communication and educational tools (low– to high-tech)

• Data collection and analysis to determine tool effectiveness

• Student and team input to guide decision-making

• Final recommendations aligned with learning and communication goals

Coaching and Implementation Support May Include:

• Staff coaching on tool use, integration, and environmental implementation

• Parent coaching to promote generalization of skills across home and school

• Ongoing team collaboration and planning for progress monitoring

• Student- to program-level support to ensure sustainability of AT use

Professional Development Opportunities Include:

• What is AT? (AT 101: Assessment vs. Evaluation)

• AT in the IEP and how to support the AT consideration process

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility strategies

• Low-tech to high-tech tools, apps, and extensions

• Device-specific training: TouchChat, LAMP, TD Snap, etc.

• AAC-focused training (e.g., increasing use, promoting social communication)

• Tool showcases and hands-on product demonstrations

• Make-and-take sessions (e.g., core board pillowcases, switches)

• Peer awareness training to foster inclusive classroom communities