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'
For a detailed explanation of the different types
of
Astech Software titles,
click on the icons below.
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'Press'
Switch Training Software |
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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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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.
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'Mouse
Skills' Mouse Training Software |
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What CD-ROMs are available
and which ones would be most suitable for you to buy?
Press or Press
Wait?
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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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'Songs
and
Stories
Press'
'Sights
and
Sounds
Press' |
'Songs
and
Stories
Press Wait'
'Sights
and
Sounds
Press Wait' |
'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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WHO USES
'THE ASTECH APPROACH' ?
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-
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.
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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.
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SOFTWARE FOR THESE
CHILDREN
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- 'Press' and 'Press Wait' Series.
- Scanning Software
- 'Making Choices'
- Customised Software
Dual Use
Although the switch software has
been specifically designed for switch users, mouse users
can also benefit from using it.
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-
'Mouse Skills'
Series
- Customised Software
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