Many early intervention programs are beginning to add or consider adding activities involving simple technological devices, such as switches and battery-operated toys, and microcomputer applications to their curriculum. This article describes some of the factors to consider In designing these activities for handicapped children, birth to 3 years of age, as demonstrated by Project ACTT. Individual child assessment of abilities, switch determination and placement, positioning, environmental design, and choice of equipment and materials are discussed, along with the importance of parent Involvement and data collection.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Boering, B.Fire organ [Computer program]. Schaumburg, Illinois : Vagabondo Enterprises.
2.
Brinker, R., & Lewis, M. (1982). Making the world work with microcomputers: A learning prosthesis for handicapped infants. Exceptional Children, 49(2), 163-170.
3.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1975). Is early intervention effective? In B. Z. Friedlander, G. M. Sterritt, & G. E. Kirk (Eds.), Exceptional infant: Assessment and intervention, 3. New York: Brunner/ Mazel.
4.
Delaney, N. (1982). Children's carrousel [Computer program]. Webster, New York: Dynacomp, Inc.
5.
Erikson, E. (1963). Childhood and society. New York: W. W. Norton.
6.
Fieber, N. (1978). The profoundly handicapped child: Assessing sensorimotor and communication abilities. Working Papers in Developmental Disabilities . Omaha, Nebraska: Meyer Children's Rehabilitation Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
7.
Ginsburg, H. and Opper, S. (1979). Piaget's theory of intellectual development. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.
8.
Goldenberg, E. (1979). Special technology for special children. Baltimore, MD: University Park Press.
9.
Goodrich, J., & Kinney, P. (1985). Adaptips: Curriculum adaptations for the deaf-blind: the sensorimotor period. Lexington, Kentucky: University of Kentucky, Curriculum Adaptations for the Deaf-Blind Project .
10.
Harshbarger, K. (1986). Software you can use in early childhood. Macomb, Illinois: Project ACTT, Western Illinois University .
11.
Hefter, R., & Rice, J. (1982). Stickybear bop [Computer program]. Columbus, Ohio: Optimum Resource Inc. (Weekly Reader Family Software, Division of Xerox Educational Publications).
12.
Hefter, R., Worthington, S., & Worthington, J. (1982). Stickybear ABC's [Computer program]. Columbus, Ohio: Optimum Resource Inc. (Weekly Reader Family Software, Division of Xerox Educational Publications).
13.
Hefter, R., Worthington, S., & Worthington, J. (1982). Stickybear numbers [Computer program]. Columbus, Ohio: Optimum Resource Inc. (Weekly Reader Family Software, Division of Xerox Educational Publications).
14.
Hefter, R., Worthington, S., & Worthington, J. (1983). Stickybear opposites [Computer program]. Columbus, Ohio: Optimum Resource Inc. (Weekly Reader Family Software, Division of Xerox Educational Publications).
15.
Hutinger, P. (1984). Activating children through technology: Notes on using microcomputers with very young children. In M. Gergen & D. Hagen (Eds.), Closing the Gap conference proceedings (pp. 168-174). Henderson, MN: Closing the Gap.
16.
Hutinger, P. (in press). Computer-based learning for young children. In J. L. Roopnarine & J. E. Johnson (Eds.), Approaches to early childhood education . Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill .
17.
Karnes, M., & Lee, R. (1980). Involving parents in the education of their handicapped children: An essential component of an exemplary program. In M. J. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on parent education . New York: Academic Press.
18.
Keefe, J. (1985). Switch use with handicapped children. Switch workshop presentation sponsored by Macomb Projects and 0-3 Consortium. Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois.
19.
Meredith, M. (1981). Hodge Podge [Computer program]. Webster, New York: Dynacomp, Inc.
20.
Piestrup, A. (1982) Juggles' Rainbow [Computer program]. Menlo Park, California: The Learning Company.
21.
Robinson, L. (1986). Bits and bytes for babies. In P. Hutinger, K. Harshbarger , L. Perry, L. Robinson, A. Sutton, & D. Whitaker, ACTT starter kit. Macomb, Illinois: Project ACTT, Western Illinois University .
22.
Whitaker, D. (1985). Response latencies [Computer program]. Macomb, Illinois: Project ACTT Western Illinois University .
23.
Whitaker, D. (1985). Switch and see [Computer program]. Macomb, Illinois: Project ACTT Western Illinois University .
24.
Whitaker, D. (1986). Master blaster [Computer program]. Macomb, Illinois: Project ACTT, Western Illinois University .
25.
Wright, C. and Nomura, M. (1984). From toys to computers-access for the physically disabled child. San Jose, California.
