Astech Software ... an exciting way to teach mouse and switch skills to children, including those with special needs
   
SOFTWARE  -  FEATURES
   
 
       
   

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY
ASTECH SOFTWARE?

   
   


Astech Software Ltd produces switch training software specifically designed to help children with physical disabilities and learning disabilities to learn and practice the switch skills needed to access assistive technology. Our mouse training titles teach basic computer mouse skills to all children.

The features and benefits
of Astech Software are:

   
  • Software Has Been
    Clinically Trialled
    With Successful Results

  • Our Occupational Therapists have clinically trialled the software with children with a variety of special needs.

  • In each case, the software has made a marked improvement in the children's switch skills as well as their visual and audio attention, choice making abilities and tracking of graphics on the screen.

  • The software has also been used successfully with children by Speech-Language therapists, teachers, teacher aides and parents.
   


   Bold and simple graphics

   using contrasting colours
   on plain backgrounds.
   - not distracting
   - helps concentration
   - ideal for children with
     vision impairments

 
Teddy, Old MacDonald and his pig are three characters in the Astech Songs and Stories series


   Eye Catching Animation
   - attracts and keeps children's attention
     on the screen.
   - children can easily track
      the simple, bold graphics
      as they move across the screen.

 
 
       
   
       
   

New Zealand Made
and Value For Money

- Competitively priced at $78.75   (N.Z.) per CD-ROM
- Backed by a warranty for all   customers and a 14 day money   back guarantee for N.Z. customers.
- Made for Kiwi kids but will appeal   to children in other English speaking   countries.

Fun Way To Learn
and Practice
Skills

Learning switch skills can take some time, so we will be producing new titles to provide greater choice and to maintain children's interest and motivation

Continuing Episodes
- familiar characters will
   return in future titles.


Mouse Access
For Switch Software

The switch software can be used
by both switch and mouse users.
The mouse can be used to choose which song or story etc. you want
as as well as activate the action
within that choice. Friends, family
and classmates can therefore enjoy the software with or without the switch user.
     
   
     
 


   Interaction

   Plenty of opportunities for    interaction between the child and    the person working with them.
   It is a fun and effective way for    disabled children to communicate    and play with friends and family
   and vice versa.


       

Ages and Stages
- Trial Versions
Astech Software caters for a range
of ages and stages of development.

In the Switch Training 'Press' Series, there is an example of a song or story from a CD-ROM in the 'Press Wait' Series, the next step in the switch training progression. You can trial this with the child to see if it's time to buy a 'Press Wait' title.
 
       


Humour and fun,
enjoyable sounds

- lots of humour and funny sound      effects keep everyone smiling,
  laughing and interested.

Repetition
Certain sounds and dialogue
are often repeated in the stories.
- children learn to eagerly
anticipate
these
and join in.


MOTIVATIONAL
The fun, attention grabbing
content of the CD-ROMs
motivate the user to keep
the action going by using the
switch or mouse.

   
 
Consistency     
In all the series, the same visual and audio cues are used as well as similar interfaces and graphics.


Instructions

All CD-ROMs include a section explaining the Astech Training Approach and how to use the software with the child.

 
 
Customisation

We can customise Astech Software with your photographs, names, sounds etc. We can also adapt our software for use with other access devices e.g. Intellikeys.


Please contact us for further information if you are interested in customisation.
 

 

 

ASTECH SOFTWARE WORKS!

'Songs and Stories Press' was the first CD-ROM Astech Software produced and has been extremely effective in teaching switch skills to children. Speech-Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, teachers, parents and grandparents have used it with special needs children with a lot of success.

 
   


TESTIMONIAL FROM A GRANDMOTHER
USING ASTECH SOFTWARE WITH HER GRANDSON

19th April 2004

A little about our grandson John (not his real name) – John is 5 ½ years of age and has limited speech, a very short attention span along with a learning disability. To get him to concentrate on one particular activity is always a challenge. Recently we purchased from Astech Software a ‘Songs and Stories’ CD Rom. The bright colour graphics along with the sounds and music have captured John’s attention. The software programme requires the participant to use the switch (mouse) at intervals to move onto the next part of the song/story. In a very short time we have found that this particular software programme has proved to be of a huge benefit to John’s learning. John now has his own software programme he can use on the computer (with assistance) just like his big brother. This past weekend John sat through 4 songs and 1 story and by the end of his visit he was able to respond by himself when the cue to press the switch (mouse) was initiated.

I would thoroughly recommend Astech Software to any parent/caregiver who wishes to further help a child/adult improve in their learning.

Regards – I.F. (a caring Nana)

 
                       
 

See Before You Purchase

The grandmother in the above testimonial took adavantage of our FREE DEMONSTRATION CD-ROM to see if her grandson responded to the software. 'John' enjoyed 'Humpty Dumpty', the one song on the CD-ROM, so much that 'I.R.' attended our March 2004 Open Evening to meet us and to see our software. 'Songs and Stories Press' was purchased and 'John' has had a wonderful time meeting the other characters on the CD-ROM.

If you would like to see our software before purchasing, make an appointment to try out our software for yourself in our showroom. See our Newsletter for more information about our Open Evenings and Showroom.

       

FREE DEMONSTRATION CD-ROM
This CD-ROM features one full song from the 'Songs and Stories Press' and 'Songs and Stories Mouse Skills' CD-ROMs.
The CD gives a good indication of our software systems and interfaces and can be obtained FREE by ticking the appropriate order box on our website order form. Post and Handling charges will apply but if you return the demonstration disk in good condition with your next CD-ROM purchase order, we will dispatch your order minus the post and handling fee.

Available for New Zealand customers only.

TRIALLING SOFTWARE

Schools, therapists and organisations may be able to trial up to four CD-ROMs at one time for a 14 day period. Please contact us if you are interested and we will send you a trial form.

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Astech Assistive Technology Centre Home Page  
Astech Assistive technology Centre's newsletter, therapy tips, updates on software  
 
   
 
Software Product
Information:
  The Astech Approach, who uses Astech software,  CD-ROMs available FREE DEMO
  The Astech Approach to switch training - progression of skills taught and products
  The Astech Approach to computer mouse training - products available
  Why should you buy Astech Software? Testimonial
  Prices of Astech Software products and order policies
  Minimum Hardware Requirements for Astech Software CD-ROMs
  Order form for Astech Software products
  The team that produces Astech Software products
  Astech Software products under development
   

 

 

 
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