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Astech
Software
'THE
ASTECH APPROACH' |
'The Astech Approach' is
a training system that progressively teaches
the skills needed to access computers and assistive technology.
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HOW
DID 'THE ASTECH APPROACH' BEGIN?
For the past twenty years, Lorraine Grundy, Paediatric Occupational
Therapist, has worked to adapt computer technology and assistive
devices to meet the needs of children with physical and learning
disabilities.
Frustrated with the available software
and the lack of an integrated teaching approach, Lorraine
and the team at Astech have developed 'The Astech
Approach'
- a training system that progressively teaches the skills
needed to access computers and assistive technology. |
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Lorraine Grundy
Astech's
Director of Occupational Therapy
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We started to create our own software using 'The Astech
Approach' for Astech's many clients. It was such
a success and the improvement in our clients' skills was so
marked, we decided to commercially produce the software so
others can benefit.
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WHAT
IS 'THE ASTECH APPROACH' ?
'The Astech Approach'
is a training system that progressively teaches
the skills needed to access computers and assistive technology.
'The Astech Approach' has
a number of interactive programmes that can be used individually
or as a set for a total teaching system. Each module of the
system is designed for a specific age group and skill acquisition. |
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To utilise
computer technology, children need to activate a device that
commands the computer.
The device could be a single switch, mouse or alternative
keyboard. |
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The
actions the child needs to understand are:
- When to activate
the device.
- When not to activate
it.
- How to make choices
with the device.
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Understanding
these three concepts opens up the benefits of computer technology.
Until now there has been no simple, progressive, logical and
fun way to do this. The answer is 'The Astech Approach'. |
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TYPES
OF SOFTWARE IN
'THE ASTECH APPROACH'
Go to the Switch Training
and Mouse Training pages for
a detailed
explanation of the different types of Astech Software
titles.
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'Press'
Switch Training Software
In these titles,
children learn:
- when they press the switch
or input device, something will happen
(Cause and Effect).
- to activate the switch or
input device on a consistent audio and visual cue.
- to increase their visual and/or
auditory attention.
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| 'Press
Wait' Switch Training Software |
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In
these titles, children learn:
- there are times not to activate
the switch or input device.
- to wait when they are given
a visual and auditory cue.
This skill is essential when
children have to wait for their preferred choice when
choices are presented in scanning form. |
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| Choice
Making Switch Training Software |
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'Making
Choices' is the only Astech program that specificially
teaches scanning skills.
In this title, children learn:
- to develop preferences and
to select this preference when cued
- that a response from them
will result in them participating in the
selected activity or watching a fun animation
- to wait until the preferred
or named choice is cued and to activate
the switch or mouse at this time
- the concepts of more and finished
Choice Making skills are
also taught in the 'Press' and 'Press
Wait' titles.
Children learn:
- to become familiar with the
choices available so they can make a preferred choice
with assistance or independently.
- to make choices on the computer
and off the computer using Choice Cards.
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| 'Mouse
Skills' Mouse Training Software |
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In
these titles, children learn:
- to click the mouse.
- to move the mouse to a location
(rollover).
- to move and click the mouse
on one or two objects.
- to move and click the mouse
on a named object.
Back to
top
Back to Software
topics |
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Having
trouble finding
motivational and fun
software for your special needs child?
Try a CD-ROM from Astech Software with your child.
Great for using at
home or at school and family and
friends will have fun using the software as well.
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Simple
graphics and fun sounds,
make Astech programs ideal for
children with vision impairments and short attention
spans. |
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'THE ASTECH APPROACH' PROGRESSION
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'The Astech Approach' has a number of interactive
programmes that can be used individually or as a set
for a total teaching system. Each module of the system
is designed for a general age group and skill acquisition.
The chart below shows
the skill steps in 'The Astech Approach'
and the
CD-ROMs available
in each step.
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MOUSE
TRAINING |
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-----------------
SWITCH TRAINING ----------- |
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'Songs
and
Stories
Press'
'Sights
and
Sounds
Press' |
'Songs
and
Stories
Press Wait'
'Sights
and
Sounds
Press Wait' |
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'Making Choices'
suitable for all
children learning
how to scan and
make choices
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'Making Choices'
suitable
for all
children learning how to scan and
make choices |
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Switch
Software Dual Use
Although the switch software has been specifically designed
for switch users, mouse users can also benefit from using
it by clicking the mouse when told to press the switch.
Back to top
Back to Software
topics |
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WHO
USES
'THE ASTECH APPROACH' SOFTWARE?
Switch
Users
-
Children
with physical disabilities and learning disabilities who
are unable to access computers using the keyboard or mouse.
e.g. Downs
syndrome, cerebral palsy,
spina bifida, brain injury, intellectual
disabilities, autism, vision impairments.
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Children
who are unable to verbally communicate and indicate day
to day choices.
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Children
who use communication devices and assistive technology
to communicate.
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Parents,
teachers, teacher aides, occupational therapists, speech-language
therapists.
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Brothers, sisters
and friends also enjoy using our switch software and
can learn skills from it too.
Mouse
Users
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Pre-school and primary
school aged children learning to use a mouse.
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Physically disabled
and learning disabled children who are learning basic
mouse skills
e.g. Downs Syndrome, autism, brain injury, intellectual
disabilities, vision impairments, cerebral palsy, spina
bifida.
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Parents, teachers,
teacher aides, occupational therapists, speech-language
therapists.
Back to top
Back to Software
topics |
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Why
should you buy Astech Software?
ASTECH
SOFTWARE WORKS !!
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Reasons
why you should buy Astech Software and Testimonial
Independent
Review of Astech Mouse Skills program |
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SEE
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE
If you would like to see our software before purchasing,
make an appointment to try out our software at the Astech Assistive
Technology Centre in Christchurch.
Email us
for an appointment. |
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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-ROM 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 make an purchase of our full version software,
we will dispatch your order minus the post and handling fee.
Available for New Zealand customers
only.
FUNDING
FOR SOFTWARE
Many of our customers can receive government funding to purchase
our software. If you are a parent, teacher or caregiver of a special
needs child, ask their therapist if this applies to you. Grants
from charitable trusts and community groups are also available in
some cases so it pays to ask or investigate. |
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Back
to top
Back to Software topics |
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