CHKD Augmentative Communication
and Adaptive Technology Clinic

The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD) offers something for everyone if Assistive Technology is your interest. The program consists of services in the area of Augmentative Communication and Adaptive Technology. These services include evaluation, therapy, special programs such as technology camp or keyboarding classes, school and site consultations, and parent/family training. In addition, staff members are available for workshops and conferences, and have taught locally, as will as on a regional and national level.

Evaluations are conducted at the Neurodevelopmental Center with additional time being spent at school, home or work site. Due to the collaboration required for an Assistive Technology Evaluation, family and school professionals are integral partners in the process. In addition, professionals at CHKD can also be included if needed. The team works closely with other departments such as The Hospital Teachers, Educational Consultants, Physicians, Audiologists and Funding Specialists. Other services offered by the Neurodevelopmental Center include: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Language Programs, Educational Testing, Medical Consults and Special Programs.

Upcoming special events focus on community needs. These include:

• OT Keyboarding Classes
• Technology Camps
• Professional/Family Interest Group
• Annual Symposium on Augmentative Communication and Adaptive Technology
• Virginia Beach Literacy Loan Program
• Informative Newsletters

Call (757) 668-9143 for more information!

Tech Tips:

ECSE/SPD/DD

All children love to try switches, "talking machines" and computers. Group activities can cater to all levels and interests using talking switches and some simple technology. For example: During circle time, many children may have little or no concept of the meaning of terminology used to describe weather. Hook up a fan and a light to a Powerlink switch and have the children practice turning on the "wind" and the "sun". A switch activated squirt gun hidden in a box with a hole cut in it can serve as "rain". Students can turn on the weather condition for the day or can experiment with all three. Other materials such as pictures and line drawings can be used in conjunction with the activity to promote symbol association and talking switches can be used to describe weather conditions.

LD/ED/EMR

Talking Word Processors make great worksheets. Enter standard worksheet questions into the computer and have the computer "read" the questions and text back to the student. The student can then type in their answers based on a list of words provided which can also be "read" by the computer, or the child can attempt to spell the words independently.

Mayer Johnson pictures contain a symbol and printed text. If you cut them out children can practice putting them together into sentences and then "copying" the text into a talking word processor. In this manner, the sentence can be "read" back to the student and printed out as well.