Touch screens are an excellent assistive technology tool that we use on a daily basis in our classroom. It allows the student to touch the screen of the computer to make things happen on the computer; the touch acts like a mouse click and so when you pair this with games that are created to be activated with just a mouse click it works great. It allows the student to independently use the computer without having to have the motor skills or knowledge of how to operate a mouse. It gives students with various types of disabilities access to the computer, and thus it is a very important tool. Here is a link to some more information about touch screens http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/AdaptingComputers/MouseOptions/printmodule.php as well as other devices to help students access a computer without the use of a traditional mouse.
Power Link
The power link helps make electronic equipment more accessible to students with motor impairments. This device allows you to plug in an electronic device to it as well as a capability switch and once this is set up the capability switch runs the device; when you hit it switch it activates the device. In addition it has a dial that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of time the power link makes the device stay on. I use a lot for cooking activities; it works great with a mixer or a blender. When we are making cookies I hook up the blender to the power link and when the students hit the capability switch it makes the blender go. It helps to actively involve the students in the lesson. Here is a link to more information about power links http://www.northcottcats.com.au/tutorials/pdfs/communication_ideas/ideas_for_communication_device_use/ideas_on_how_to_use_the_powerlink_at_home_and_school.pdf, this site provides some great ideas on ways to use the power link.
Talk boxes, or augmentative communication devices, are an excellent way to help students improve their communication. These are devices that come in many different shapes and sizes, and when the button on them is hit by the student it plays a recorded message. The message can be short one word messages or sentences with a few words. The messages can be changed as needed and some devices even come with places for pictures to be put so that visual is paired with verbal. We use these in our class to help the students communicate their wants and needs. For example one of our students uses a one button talk box to request more food when he is eating. If you would like to learn more about talk boxes here is a link to a site with more information http://www.abilityhub.com/aac/aac-devices.htm.
Communication books are used to help students do just that, increase their communication. These books come in different forms, they can be made with Velcro and a binder, or they can be purchased from the actual PECs Company. These books are paired with icons, such as those made in Boardmaker, and they are supposed to be carried around at all times by the student so they when they want or need something they can grab an icon and hand it to an adult. We use them to help students request items; they can ask to use the computer, look at a book, for a piece candy, to go to the sensory room, or for their favorite toy. These books are so useful because they are simple, can easily be carried anywhere, and empower students. If you would like to learn more about communication books at http://www.pecs.com/ or http://www.acadcom.com/special_education_materials/special_education_books.asp.
Pressure Vest
Pressure vests are similar to weighted vest, they are vests that are worn by students and help them to focus by giving their bodies the sensory input that they need, but instead of being weighted, they are stretchy and are put snugly around the child’s chest. When it is worn it is a similar feeling to getting a tight hug. At first though one might not think that a pressure vest is an assistive technology device, but since it is a device that helps students to calm and focus so that they can access their education it is a piece of assistive technology. If you would like to learn more about pressure vests please visit http://www.earlyinterventionsupport.com/parentingtips/specialneeds/pressurevests.aspx. If you would like to purchase a pressure vest for you child here is a link to a site that sells them http://www.especialneeds.com/deep-pressure-vests.html. 
