Assistive Technology: Principles and Applications for Communication Disorders and Special Education -- Copyright -- Contents -- LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS -- SERIES FOREWORD -- DEDICATION -- CHAPTER 1: DEFINITIONS, HISTORY, AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY -- Introduction -- Definitions, History, and Legislation -- Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication -- Definitions of Technology -- Examples of Assistive Technology Uses -- The Relationship of AAC to AT -- Historical Overview of Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication -- Historical Perspective on Assistive Technology -- Historical Perspective on Augmentative and Alternative Communication -- Federal Legislation Promoting the Development of AT and AAC -- Summary -- References -- CHAPTER 2: COMPUTERS: HISTORY AND FUNDAMENTALS -- Introduction -- Computer Developments -- Early Computer Developments -- Recent Computer Developments -- Computer Fundamentals and Concepts -- Digital Logic: The Language of the Computer -- Digital Logic: Units and Organization -- Computer Components -- Motherboard -- The Basic Input-Output System -- Microprocessor -- Registers -- Arithmetic and Logic Unit -- Control Unit -- Computer Bus -- Address Bus -- Data Bus -- Control Bus -- Expansion Bus -- Memory and Storage -- Memory -- Storage -- Floppy Disk Drive -- Communicating with the Microprocessor -- Computer Peripherals -- Input Devices -- Keyboard -- Keyboard Emulators -- Mouse, Trackball, Trackpad, and Joystick -- Optical Input Devices -- Auditory Input -- Output Devices -- Monitors -- Printers -- USB Ports -- Thunderboltt Technology -- Operating Systems -- WINDOWS -- Macintosh -- Linux -- Computer Applications -- Software Applications -- Word Processing Applications -- Spreadsheet Applications -- Database Applications.

Multimedia Applications -- Digital Photography -- Movies and Movie Editing -- Teaching -- Internet Applications and Resources -- Computer Setup and Problem Solving -- Summary -- References -- CHAPTER 3: SOFTWARE AND INTERNET RESOURCES FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION -- Introduction -- AAC and AT Software -- Types of AAC and AT Software -- Communication Software -- Educational Software -- Administrative Software -- Considerations for Selection and Evaluation of AAC and AT Software -- Sources for AAC and AT Software -- Technical Considerations -- User Considerations -- Age -- Curriculum Compatibility -- Future Goals -- Gender -- Learning Style -- Performance Level -- Previous Experiences and Preference -- Guidelines for Locating and Evaluating Resources on the World Wide Web -- AAC and AT Resources on the Internet and World Wide Web -- Locating Quality Resources on the Internet -- General Precautions -- Locating Quality Resources on the Internet -- Metasearches and Metasearch Engines -- Gateway Sites -- Evaluation of AAC/AT Websites -- Accuracy -- Authority -- Objectivity -- Currency -- Coverage -- Summary -- References -- CHAPTER 4: UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR USING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY -- Introduction -- Universal Principles in Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technology -- Principle of Parsimony -- Case Example -- Principle of Minimal Learning -- Case Example -- Principle of Minimal Energy -- Case Example -- Principle of Minimal Interference -- Case Example -- Principle of Best Fit -- Case Example -- Principle of Practicality and Use -- Case Example -- Principle of Using Evidence-Based Practice -- Case Example -- Evidence-based Practice in Assistive Technology -- Why Use Evidence-Based Practice? -- Hierarchy of Evidence.

Implementing EBP in AAC and AT -- Develop an Answerable Question -- Selecting Evidence Sources and Executing a Search Strategy -- Examining the Evidence -- Applying the Evidence -- Evaluating the Evidence Application -- Disseminate the Findings -- Summary -- Notes -- References -- CHAPTER 5: HUMAN FACTORS IN THE EVALUATION AND USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY -- Introduction -- Definition -- Importance -- Environmental/Social/Cultural Factors -- Setting -- Social Context -- Cultural Context -- Physical Context -- Psychological Factors Influencing Use of Technology -- Information Processing System Overview -- Sensory Register -- Short-Term Memory -- Long-Term Memory -- Motivation -- Sensory and Motor Factors -- The Visual System -- Anatomy of the Eye -- Central Nervous System Control of the Eye -- Visual Acuity -- Peripheral Vision -- Visual Tracking -- Visual Scanning -- Color Detection -- Spectral Sensitivity -- Reflective Stimuli and Light Source -- Response Compression -- Visual Illusions -- Figure/Ground Relationship -- Dysfunction and Effect -- The Auditory System -- Outer Ear -- Middle Ear -- Inner Ear -- Hearing Tests -- Psychological Considerations of Sound -- Sound Localization -- Dysfunction and Effect -- The Somatosenses -- Tactile Sensations -- Localization and Discrimination of Tactile Sensations -- Lateral inhibition -- Active vs. Passive Touch -- Thermal Sensations -- Pain Sensation -- Sensory Adaptation -- Proprioceptive Stimulation -- Dysfunction and Effect -- The Motor System -- Neuroanatomy of Major Motor Systems -- Implications at the Neuro-anatomical Level -- Movement, Feedback, and Reflexes -- Characteristics of Muscles -- Characteristics of Movement -- Dysfunction and Effects -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- References -- CHAPTER 6: LOW TECHNOLOGY -- Introduction.

Nonelectronic Communication Displays -- Communication Displays -- Object Communication Displays -- Visual Schedules -- Communication Boards -- Creative Displays -- Displays with Detachable Symbols -- Communication Vests -- Communication Books, Files, and Flip-up Photograph Albums -- Pocket Sized Communication Books or Business Card Folders1 -- Eye-Gaze Transfer Display (E-TRAN) -- Auditory Scanning Chart -- Specialized Strategies Using Paper-Based Materials -- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) -- Aided Language Stimulation -- Remnant Books -- Topic Cards and Joke Cards -- Communication Dictionaries -- Adapted Books -- Adapted Writing Materials -- Electronic Communication Aids -- Switches -- Electronic Indicators -- Clock Scanners -- Light Beams -- Attention-Getters/Buzzers -- Analog Recorders -- Digital Recorders -- Summary -- Acknowledgments -- References -- CHAPTER 7: HIGH TECHNOLOGY -- Introduction -- Basic Principles of High-Technology Assistive Devices -- High Technology versus Low Technology -- Dedicated versus Non-Dedicated Devices -- Alternative Access -- Adapted Mouse -- Switch-Adapted Mouse -- Vertical Mouse -- Foot-Controlled Mouse -- Trackballs -- Joysticks -- Touch Pads -- Trackpads -- Touch Screens -- MouseKeys -- Eye-Controlled Input -- Head-Tracking Input -- Light and Optical Direct Selection Pointers -- Sip and Puff Mouse -- SmartPen -- Single-Word Scanners/Reading Pens -- Keyboards -- Large Keys Keyboard -- Ergonomic Keyboard -- Mini Keyboard -- One-Handed Keyboard -- On-Screen Keyboard -- Keyguard -- StickyKeys -- Membrane Keyboard -- IntelliKeyst -- Software -- Voice-Recognition Software -- Word-Prediction Software -- Communication Devices -- Dedicated versus Non-Dedicated Devices -- Dedicated Devices -- Speech-Generating Devices -- Switch Access -- Non-Dedicated Devices.

Portable Word Processor -- Talking Word Processors -- Electronic Dictionaries -- Portable Audio Players -- Tablets/Handheld Computers/Notebooks -- Smartphones -- Interactive Whiteboard -- Electronic Books -- Issues and Considerations -- Summary -- Acknowledgments -- References -- CHAPTER 8: SYNTHETIC SPEECH -- Introduction -- Digitized and Synthesized Speech -- Digitized Speech -- Synthesized Speech -- Perception of Synthetic and Natural Speech by Individuals Without Impairments -- Perception of Synthetic versus Natural Speech -- Single Words -- Sentences -- Discourse -- Comparison of Synthetic Speech Perception across Synthesizers -- Intelligibility -- Practice Effects -- Perception of Synthetic Speech by Individuals with Intellectual Impairments -- Single Words and Sentences -- Discourse -- Practice Effects -- Perception of Synthetic Speech by Individuals with Associated Impairments -- Conclusions and Implications -- References -- CHAPTER 9: LITERACY AND TECHNOLOGY -- Introduction -- Literacy Development -- Literacy Development in Children with Disabilities -- Effects of Graphic Representation Systems on Literacy Development -- Technology Tools for Literacy Development -- General Use of Technology Tools -- Reading -- Writing -- Speech Recognition -- Spelling -- Future Directions -- Summary -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Appendix A: Technology Vendors and Products -- Appendix B: Technology Tools for Emergent Literacy -- CHAPTER 10: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFNESS AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS -- Introduction -- Devices to Improve or Substitute for Hearing -- Hearing Aids -- Types of Hearing Aids -- Selection of a Hearing Aid -- Importance of Aural Rehabilitation -- Implants -- Cochlear Implant -- Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device -- Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids.

Auditory Brainstem Implants (ABI) and Auditory Midbrain Implants (AMI).