Tagged with 'ATiA'

Healthy Conversations at ATIA 2023

By: Dr. Raymond Heipp

I have been attending the ATIA conference for over a decade now. Throughout the years from 2010 until 2020, we saw great interaction between some of the most important thinkers and doers in the Special Education realm, the teachers and the influencers who were leading the charge into inclusion. The pandemic put a halt to so many things within our Special Education classrooms, therapy rooms, and overall support that we were able to provide. Our focus was on creating new routines for those who thrived in routine and had it pulled away from them at a moment’s notice. We had to learn new skills and consider so many different perspectives that we were seriously taxed in our own abilities. Even in the face of the stress and anxiety of the global community, we continued moving forward understanding that our roles were critical to so many. A virtual ATIA in 2021 still had great sessions, but there was something missing. When we returned to a hybrid ATIA in 2022, the sessions were again great, but there was still something off about the feeling around the conference.

The 2023 ATIA conference brought back a sense of what was lost – connection. Bruce Springsteen put it best when he sang of the “Human Touch.” That face-to-face connection, without masks for many, and the ability to shake hands, pat someone’s back, or even share hugs returned this conference into the vision of what it should be – a place to connect, share, and augment what we are doing through the ideas of so many others.

I knew it would be different right out of the gate when walking around in the Exhibit Hall during the time for booth set-up. I was approached by a group who asked if I would mind being in a video. They shared with me that they were in a pre-conference workshop and were tasked with creating a video to help first year attendees understand what to expect and what to look for in that hall. Whereas the folks around me and the team doing the videos expected some elevator pitch about why our booth was the best (which it was without needing a pitch!), I put on the old administrator’s hat and shared with them that they should have a student in mind and be asking questions and new ideas about how to support those students. Ironically, that workshop was being led by one of the great influencers and professional development experts today, Kelly Fonner, who tracked me down later. She shared her dual purpose. She was trying to get teachers and administrators comfortable with making videos to support individuals while also hoping to get attendees excited for all aspects of the conference. She was thrilled that this group was able to get a stronger sense of who we are as a community of support while learning those video skills. So why aren’t you creating videos? Even if you don’t want to create them, don’t be afraid to ask others, including myself, for videos to support you. If you haven’t checked out any of the Talkin’ Tech videos or other series I created on YouTube, take some time to check them out to help support your team.

I had the opportunity to interact with Ewa Bukowska and Laura Murden from Cosmo. These two women are brilliant and really helped so many understand how this device could be used for our individuals. Ewa came from the classroom and added so many anecdotes that made sense. If you haven’t seen Cosmo yet, reach out to Jodi Szuter at jszuter@schoolhealth.com for a demo. The device which is sold in packs of one, three, or six can act simply as a Bluetooth switch which has color. However, once connected to the app and using more than one device, it can take individuals on amazing journeys. I watched as people from the DOE of NYC, the GA DOE, and so many others interacted, played games against themselves as well as against their peers. Yet, even with all the fun, there are so many other ways to use these devices including as musical instruments, single message communicators, and answer buttons. On the back end, teachers and therapists can adjust the sensitivity of the devices to either increase or decrease the pressure needed to activate. There are also tools to see how the students were interacting with it as well. This is definitely one of the devices I was most impressed with and happy to have with me while presenting my seminars throughout the country.

Also attending the conference were people representing other major conferences throughout the country. I engaged with people from the IHD Conference in Arizona, the Assistive Technology Conference of New England in Rhode Island, and Closing the Gap in Minnesota. I had some great discussions with these folks around potential presentations and all of them asked for the integration of sensory supports throughout the standard day. I am looking forward to putting those presentations together to better support all individuals. One thing that I do want to share product-wise with you is the Sensory Blackout Tent. This tent comes in a duffel bag and sets up within 15-20 minutes. It is six feet high and is 4’x4’ on the sides. The inside is colored black to give the individuals inside a place to get out of the light and sights of an area. I really like the fact that we could also use this for our students with CVI and bring in a light box or other activities. The best part is that this tent, which can become that portable sensory space, is affordable and can fit into your budget. Aside from the attendees at the show, I also shared the tent with the attendees at my seminar for the Virginia Tech TTAC. Matt and Holly had attended ATIA, so they had an early look at it. I then shared it with the states and other countries who gathered for the Special Olympics of North America workshop days. I continued to stress making sensory supports a part of every student’s day.

No ATIA would be complete without an Edcamp occurring one of the evenings. Mike Marotta, Kelly Suding, Chris Bugaj, and so many others created a session that really allowed for the most important aspect of any Special Education or Assistive Technology conference and that is the networking. Moving from a fun game of “Cards Against Exclusivity” into breakouts focused on topics, this group of individuals are setting a foundation from which we can build a stronger and more unified community. If you are not following them on Twitter, please do so, as well as getting involved in the #atchat sessions they have weekly.

What did I take away from this conference, more information and a whole bunch of positive energy. It was great to be back among this group of professionals. It is always energizing to engage with so many others with the same purpose. Unfortunately, not everyone could attend. However, for those of you who would like to get a flavor of ways to better use the devices you already have and learn about some of the newer devices and sensory supports, please reach out. Whether it be a virtual session or an in-person seminar (with lots of fun stuff), Jodi and I are happy to support you. We are taking the notion of networking and sharing information and bringing it to you.

Thank you for what you do and know that we are returning to the energy and support we once had. Let us know how we can help!

By Dr. Raymond Heipp

Orlando, Florida may have been experiencing a cold spell from January 16th through the 29th with temperatures dipping into the low 30s and frost appearing on the ground. But inside the Marriott World Center and Caribe Royale, things were warm and flashing back to the days where we were able to connect and learn more about helping our individuals. It was a great return to in-person major conferences in Special Education once again!

Both conferences paid tribute to one of the pioneers of our community, Joy Zabala.  Events and memorials were held in her honor. The beautiful thing is that her influence will forever live in the actions of those of us who knew her.  Taking her SETT framework and connecting it to UDL principles will continue to assist in the development of inclusive classrooms where all students can display the gifts which they have to offer.

One hot topic that bridged both conferences was that of literacy. The pandemic created a greater awareness of those students who were struggling with conditions like dyslexia or reading issues which limited success through virtual learning. Focus on programs based in the science of Reading or structured literacy support looked at the ways in which we could begin to bring our students back from any disruptions in learning they had experienced.  As with any program, we see the needs for three critical pieces. First, the program must be researched and evidence-based.  We have seen too many “programs” developed over the years that were simply an anecdotal approach which only worked in specific settings. Second, the program must be accessible by students.  What materials are supplied?  Are they being created with multiple users in mind? We have to move away from the days of simply having a workbook and teacher’s manual. We need to have video modeling, closed captioning, multiple reading levels, and high engagement.  Finally, we MUST have proper teacher preparation for using these materials. In my early days of teaching, it was shared with me that SRA boxes were a great way to support struggling students. Yet, these boxes were a one-size-fits-all at the time.  We must have training to adjust to the unique needs of our students in any program we are teaching.

Within the framework of literacy, I encountered a mix of software and hardware that fit into literacy assistance. It is unfortunate, but I must remind people that simply because a computer or tablet has text-to-speech capabilities, it does not mean that every student can use it. With this in mind, I engaged with software like Capti, Claro, and Ghotit which offered support for a variety of levels of students.  On the hardware side, I still look at a device like the C-Pen Reader Pen as a go-to.  Along with that these days, the Orcam Read offers support for those with visual impairments as well as reading issues.

Social-Emotional learning was also a huge discussion point in both conferences. The biggest issue remains the re-creation of a school culture in the midst of high levels of division within community environments. Understanding that we have all lived through various levels of trauma and are experiencing some PTSD forms a basis from which we can build that culture. Any discussion on SEL began around the anxiety levels of our students. Simply stating that “they are fine” or “this is good for them” detracts from what they may be feeling on the inside and too embarrassed or afraid to share. We have to begin by meeting them where they are at and create the safe environment that a school can provide. Many of these discussions also related another important idea for the proper support of students and that is the mental well-being of the faculty and staff.  chools, administrators, and teachers have had to make significant changes to the ways in which they engage their students. Add into that the random attacks by outside groups who have no idea what teachers actually go through daily and you have the reality we are facing today – teachers under high levels of stress. If we simply ignore the well-being of these individuals, we will see continued loss in the ranks of teachers.

Programs supporting faculty and staff wellness are essential. I have worked with schools who have created two sensory rooms, one for students and one for the adults. These become the safe havens for all individuals during the day. Sensory rooms, portable sensory carts, and sensory items all play an important role in the daily events of a school today. Even classroom and socially appropriate fidgets play an important role for all students, especially those with issues inducing escalations. Aside from items like this, software like Social Express, helps the students to navigate their feelings in today’s environments. Other software like Lessonbee helps to guide students to healthier lives both mentally and physically.  The Five for Life Physical Education Program offers a healthy life skills approach as well as supporting individuals in their fitness goals.

There were so many great presentations, I would have to write another dissertation to review them all. However, the critical piece that made these shows so successful was the physical reconnecting with individuals. We have learned to connect well virtually and there are presenters who are amazing no matter what media they use. Yet, there is nothing like direct human interaction that energizes us even more to do what we love – guide others to becoming the best they can be.