Portland Public Schools
Assistive Technology
Helping educational teams find the technology and strategies to support student access to learning and communication.
Starting in Q2: - General AT Office Hour Fridays 8:30-9:30
Description of Services
PPS Assistive Technology Team consists of specialists with backgrounds in occupational therapy and speech-language pathology.
We work in partnership with the building educational team to provide the following AT/AAC services:
Support and consultation
Access to equipment and materials
Assessment collaboration
Training
Assistive Technology (AT)
"Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device."
Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to methods of communication that enhance or replace conventional forms of expression. The goal of AAC is to promote the most effective communication possible for individuals with severe communication disorders.
Augmentative and alternative communication includes:
strategies that help the speaker to be understood (such as partner strategies)
unaided approaches (such as gestures and sign language)
aided approaches (assistive technology for communication)
All speakers communicate in a variety of ways. The most successful augmentative communicators use a multi-modal approach, which may include several of the following:
vocalizations and residual speech
gestures and pointing
facial expressions
signs
writing and typing
alphabet board
communication displays and language boards
voice output communication device