Decision Making

Decision Making:

The process for assistive technology assessment developed by the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative incorporates the SETT framework (Zabala, 1994, 2005a) to help organize the often complex task of assistive technology decision-making.

SETT stands for Student, Environment, Tasks, Tools. By grouping the information into these categories, the task of selecting assistive technology becomes much more logical.

Step 3: Team completes Problem Identification Portion of AT Decision Making Guide at the meeting.

• Choose someone to write all topics where everyone participating can see them. ( SmartBoard, poster size post it paper)
• Select a time keeper
• Facilitator - often the assistive technology consultant

STUDENT

• Consider the students strengths/abilities
• Address the student in relation to the identified area of concern
  • Writing/use of hands
  • Communication
  • Reading/academics
  • Mobility
  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Behavior
  • Other

I try to limit this section to approximately 10 minutes a the meeting

Environmental Considerations:

• Classroom
• Playground
• Lunch room
• Home
• Daycare
• Bus
• Gym

Note for each where the area of concern occurs:

• Technology available
• Room arrangement, lighting, sound
• Activities

10 minutes

TASKS

INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE DETAILS OF THE TASKS THAT ARE CURRENTLY REQUIRED OF THE STUDENT OR WILL BE REQUIRED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

• Get specific - not math - but writing numbers on paper etc.
• Build shared knowledge about the tasks that the student needs to do or learn to do that are currently difficult or impossible for the student to do at the expected level of independence. ƒ (This information can be used to identify the type of tools needed, but will also play a critical role in planning, implementation and evaluation of effectiveness. )
• Determine what still needs to be known and how it can be found out. ƒ
• Add additional information as it becomes available through evaluation, implementation, discussion.

20 to 30 minutes

Solution Generation

TOOLS

• Brainstorm Tools/Solutions
• Write all suggestions on visual display
• Goal is to generate a large list of options
• Refer to AT checklist if needed
• Remember to consider low to high tech options

Solution Selection

• Select tools to implement for trail use
• If list of options is large, try combining options OR have participants vote on 2-3 of desired options
• Aim for consensus from all members