I chose to write a blog post about the Assistant Technologies used for Down Syndrome. According to the National Library of Medicine, Down Syndrome is what happens when a person is born with an extra copy of the Chromosome 21. This extra chromosome causes troubles with the way the body and brain develop. While there are many physical problems that come with Down Syndrome, the mental ones are the ones that affect their learning in the classroom. Down Syndrome causes impulsive behavior, poor judgement, short attention span, and slow learning. So when a normal student can complete 10 questions in a specific amount of time, a child with down syndrome may only complete 2. Children with down syndrome tend to be several years behind students their own age.
       

Their are a few electronic, and non-electronic assistive technologies that help students with down syndrome. The first AT used for kids with down syndrome is the ever-popular iPad. The iPad has apps that are used to simplify problems for kids with down syndrome. The iPad can take a word problem, and replace many of the words with symbols or pictures to help the child with reading. Also with a simple tap of the finger the iPad can read the problem to the child, so the child can focus on the problem and not so much on the reading. Another important AT for kids with down syndrome is slanted desks. Kids with down syndrome tend to have smaller hands, with stubbier fingers, and lowered thumbs. Also the wrist bones often do not form all the way in children with down syndrome, so the slanted desks alleviate pressure on the wrists, and help children write properly.
       

Another AT used for children with down syndrome is springed scissors. The act of opening and closing scissors is very difficult for kids with down syndrome. So the springed scissors automatically open after closing, thanks to a spring between the blades. This allows children with down syndrome to get used to the opening and closing motion, and work on their fine motor skills. The last assistive technology used for kids with down syndrome is smart boards. Smartboards allow kids with down syndrome to draw lines from place to another, and form letters. Another way smart boards help is allowing kids to connect letters to the sound they make.        


The field of technology has been making great progress in creating assistive technology for kids with down syndrome. And they continue to research new apps for the smart board and iPads that will help kids with down syndrome create letters, read, form sounds, and write. I am excited to see where this field will go over the next few years, and will help incorporate kids with down syndrome into the normal classroom!