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'THE ASTECH APPROACH'
TO SWITCH / TOUCHSCREEN TRAINING
Astech Software uses an innovative, fun and motivational method
to encourage children to activate the switch / touch the screen
and wait on cue. The
same visual and audio cues, as well as interfaces and choice making
processes are used in all our switch software, making the transition
from one title to another easier for the child.
NEW PROGRAMS FOR TOUCHSCREEN USERS
Version
2 CDs of our 6 original 'Press' and 'Press Wait' switch training
programs are now available. As well as having the normal section
for switch users, there is another section you can choose that
is for touchscreen users. The contents are identical to the switch
section except verbal cues of 'Touch the screen (or object)"
will play.
Learning
single switch and touchscreen skills can lead children to:
- Access assistive technology communication
devices.
- Make choices in their lives and let others
know what they want
and how they are feeling.
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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, touchscreen
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.
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'.
Details about the whole of 'The Astech Approach' are on the Software
Page.
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'ASTECH APPROACH'
SWITCH / TOUCHSCREEN TRAINING PROGRESSION
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1.
PRESSING
THE SWITCH
/
TOUCHING
THE SCREEN
Cause & Effect
Press the switch / touch the screen
and something
fun happens.
Software
Type: 'Press'
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In these titles,
children learn:
- when they press the switch or touchscreen,
something will happen (Cause and Effect).
- to activate the switch or touch the screen
on a consistent audio and visual cue.
- to increase their visual and/or auditory
attention.
We recommend that
children begin by using 'Press' titles before progressing to 'Press
Wait' titles.
Press Wait Trial
- There is an example of a 'Press Wait' song or story on each 'Press'
title so the child can trial it to see if they are ready to go onto
the next step in the switch training progression.
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2.
WAITING
Learning when
to 'wait' and
when to 'press'
the switch / touch
the screen.
Software
Type: 'Press Wait'
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In these titles, children learn:
- there are times not to activate
the switch or touch the screen.
- 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.
This series uses the
same interfaces, songs and stories etc. that are in the 'Press' series
of titles.
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3.
CHOICE
MAKING
Learning the scanning
and choice making skills needed
to use communication devices, educational software and other switch
accessible technology
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We recommend that children
master the skills of pressing the switch and waiting on cue before
they use this program.
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 taught in other
programs
An element of choice making is also in all
our 'Press' and 'Press Wait' titles. These programs all have an
interface that allows the child to choose between the different
stories etc. by activating a single switch when choices are presented
at timed intervals.
In these 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.
The two choice making CDs, 'Making
Choices' and 'Christmas tree Fun' do not have touchscreen sections.
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SWITCHES
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All our software can be used with a conventional
mouse. Our switch training software is specifically designed for
use with a single switch which takes the place of the left click
button on the mouse.
The switch adapted mouse to the left is the
simplest way of setting up a single switch.
See our Links page
for suppliers. |
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CHOICE
OF SELECTION
In the 'Songs and Stories' and 'Fun and Adventures'
CDs,
users can choose between two methods of selecting
which song or story etc. they wish to see. :
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Mouse or Touch
Selection
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Adults and children use the mouse or touchscreen to select stories
etc. from a simple interface. |
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Child
Selection |
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Children
select which story, song etc. they want to watch by pressing
the switch / touching the screen when their choice is presented
to them. This is a form of scanning.
There is the opportunity for independent use of the CD once
the skill is learned. |
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Once the selection has been made, the action within
the song and story is controlled by pressing the switch /
touching the screen on cue.
The mouse can also act as the switch does, allowing non switch
users to use the program as well. This
means that mouse using friends and family can use the software
by themselves or alongside the switch using child.
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ACCESS
METHODS IN 'MAKING CHOICES'
In the scanning program
'Making Choices' there are 3 access methods: |
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Mouse Scan |
The mouse or touchscreen is used by
the adult or child to select an activity or item when it is
scanned.
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Long
Scan |
Choices
are presented at 12 second intervals and the child uses the
switch or touches the screen to make a selection |
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Short
Scan |
Choices
are presented at 9 second intervals and the child uses the switch
or touches the screen to make a selection |
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The 'Switch training' software is available in 'Press'
and 'Press Wait' types.
Please contact us if you need help in choosing
which CD would be be best for your child.
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