Resources

Teachers

Books

• Psychology in the Classroom

A book that centers on Adlerian psychology and how to work with difficult students. This was published in 1968, but many of the principles are still applicable.

• Maintaining Sanity in the Classroom

Published in 1998, this book is dated but still useful. It provides teachers with classroom management strategies based on Adlerian psychology.

• Your Complete Guide to Transition Planning and Services

This is a great guide to understanding the transition from school to adulthood for students with disabilities. This book covers everything from assessment to working with community agencies, and everything in between.

• Transition Assessment: Planning Transition and IEP Development for Youth with Mild to Moderate Disabilities.

Similar to the above-mentioned book. What makes this book great are the free assessment tools in the appendix.

• Applied Behavioral Analysis for Teachers

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be hard; especially if you are a general education teacher with a class of 30. This book goes over the basics of ABA and provides information on how to realistically do it in the general education setting.

• Understanding Families

To reach the students you teach you need to understand their family background and situation. This book helps teachers view diverse families, relationships, and backgrounds so they can better support their students.

• Understanding, Developing, and Writing Effective IEPs

How do you write an IEP goal? What is the difference between a quality IEP goal and one that is not? What about the rest of the IEP? This answers all these questions and more.

• The Practical (and fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in the Public Schools

Assistive technology is often misunderstood or not understood entirely. This book will teach you everything you need to know for working in the schools, without reading like a boring textbook.

Websites

• National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
• What Works Clearinghouse

Have a tough time finding or deciphering research? Want to know where to find effective evidence-based practices for your classroom? This site offers easy search tools and breaks information down into manageable chunks so you can spend less time reading and more time doing what works.

• PBIS World

This site provides great templates for various types and levels of behavior plans. Instead of doing it all from scratch, let this site help guide you in the process.

• E-Reading Worksheets

Aside from great pre-made lessons you can use in a pinch (think substitute plans), you have access to many great assessments. Comprehension tests, inferences, synonyms, figurative language, games, etc. It made my life as a teacher so much easier.

• Newsela

A major problem for students with low reading comprehension is finding content that they actually want to read. Newsela offers age appropriate content that can be adjusted to meet students’ different Lexile levels. Many tools are free, but your district will have to pay for the upgrades (totally worth it).

• Daily Teaching Tools

What I love about this site (the only thing I really used it for) is the daily journal writing prompts. They are age appropriate and break down the monotony by having students write paragraph, sentence, or single-word answers depending on the prompt.

• Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI)

This site provides valuable information on assistive technology (AT) and gives you the option to download content typically found in expensive textbooks. You also get access to their AT assessments for free use in the schools.

• Maryland Assistive Technology Connection Hub

This site has assistive technology broken down into many categories and lists various devices for each category. It will also show the relative expense for each device. General information on assistive technology is also available.

Parents

Books

• Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Information and tips from experts in the field of autism (one of them even has a child with autism).

• Self-Advocacy Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities

Strategies that parents can use in teaching their child self-advocacy skills needed to be successful in college and the work place.

• Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities

Not everyone needs to work for a company. This guide will help family members support and make self-employment possible for loved ones with a disability.

Websites

• Utah Parent Center

Non-profit organization that helps parents and families with questions regarding disability and special education services. Advocates are available to help parents with the IEP process

• Wright’s Law

Information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provided in parent friendly language to help them navigate the often-confusing wording of federal laws. Wright breaks down various aspect of the law so that you, as a parent, know what things mean in the IEP.

• Autism Speaks

National organization that has many helpful tools and links to help parents understand their child and get the help they need. This organization also does advocacy work to help people in the community better understand autism.

• Kids on the Move

Local organization that primarily focuses on early intervention. This organization provides ABA therapists and other home specialists to assist families in teaching and caring for their children who have autism or other developmental disabilities.

• Ability 1^st Utah

This local agency helps people with disabilities learn self-advocacy, independent living skills, employment, and assistive technology.

• RISE

Provides help to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, managed care, and home and community-based support. Day programs, professional parenting, and other services are also available.

• Turn Community Services

Similar to the other companies listed above, Turn helps individuals and families with residential and day programs, and well as support employment.

Assistive Technology

General

Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (www.GPAT.org)

• Run by the Georgia Department of Education. It gives an overview of what assistive technology is, legal mandates and information, IEP information, and on through student success.

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (www.wati.org)

• Run through the state of Wisconsin. Gives resource material on assistive technology services and devices, as well as AT professionals who give consultations throughout the state.

Maryland Assistive Technology Connection Hub (www.cte.jhu.edu/matchup/)

• This site has assistive technology broken down into many categories and lists various devices for each category. It will also show the relative expense for each device. General information on assistive technology is also available.

Assistive Technology Industry Association (www.ATIA.org)

• Provides webinars and resources on assistive technology. Offers membership for professionals.

AAC

American Speech-language and Hearing Association (www.ASHA.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC)

• Gives an overview of AAC devices and services, from the foremost American association.

International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (www.Isaac-online.org/English/home)

• Gives a comprehensive look into AAC devices and services from an international point of view.

Hearing

National Association of the Deaf (www.NAD.org/resources/technology/assistive-listening/assistive-listening-system-and-devices/)

• Information on assistive listening systems and devices through the eyes of hearing professionals and the Deaf community.

Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/in-depth/hearing-aids/art-20044116)

• Information on hearing aids—what they do, types, features, and advice.

Motor & Independent Living

Independent Living Aids, LLC (www.independentliving.com/)

• Catalog of assistive technology devices for various disabilities, impairments and needs.

International Telecommunication Union (www.e-accessibilitytoolkit.org/toolokit/promoting_asssitive_technologies/)

• Gives a search engine and other resources for finding information on assistive technology for independent living and other areas.

Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (www.cap.mil/Solutions/ProductDisability.aspx?DisabilityID=1)

• Provides information on assistive technology for military and government personnel. Provides assistive technology services and accommodations for disabled military and government employees.

Web Accessibility in Mind (www.webaim.org/articles/motor/assistive)

• Information on assistive technology for motor disabilities and impairments.

Local

Ability 1^st Utah (www.ability1stutah.org)

• Private agency serving the people of Utah. Offers assistive technology and job training services.

Roads to Independence (www.roadstoindependence.org)

• Private agency serving the people of Utah. Provides assistive technology services, especially for independent living and employment.

Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (www.uatf.org)

• Run under the Utah Assistive Technology Program. Helps families and individuals receive and use assistive technology devices and services for children and adults.

Utah Assistive Technology Program (www.uatpat.org)

• Run through Utah State University and their Center for Disabilities. Provides information and services on assistive technology for people with disabilities.

Utah Center for Assistive Technology (www.ucat.usor.utah.gov)

• Run by the state of Utah. Provide information and services relating to assistive technology for people with various disabilities and needs.

Utah Parent Center (www.utahparentcenter.org/resources/assistive-technology/)

• Non-profit organization. Helps parents with questions on disability services, including—but not limited to—assistive technology services and devices.

Technology

High-Tech

• Chromebooks–Similar in capabilities as a tablet, but with a mechanical keyboard. Cheaper option than an iPad, but you will be limited to Google-based web applications and internet browser.
• iPad/iPad mini–While not for everyone, it does allow for creative interventions through the use of apps.
• Amazon Fire tablet–cheap tablet that can work with books or web applications. Not as good as an iPad, but at $50 it makes for a good start.

Low-Tech

• Noise Canceling Headphones–good for those who experience sensory overload in noisy environments.

Non-Tech

• Picture books–easy to create and can be used with various EBP, such as Scripting, Social Narratives, and Picture -Exchange Communication System.
• Sunglasses–like noise canceling headphones, these would be good if you work with someone who experiences sensitivity to light. It can also be used to help narrow field of view.
• Bean bag chairs, blankets, and/or pillows–again, great for handling sensory proces