Laptops for Dysgraphic

This is a situation where the assistive technology assessment that the team completes would be helpful. Instead of guessing at possible recommendations, your son would have an opportunity to try out different tools and strategies. Then you, your son and the rest of the team would determine the best tools to help him meet his IEP goals. There are so many different options - it’s impossible to make a recommendation without the feedback from an AT assessment.
Ask the team to meet, or just put a request for an AT assessment in writing. Remember, every student on an IEP “shall be considered for an AT evaluation” (IDEA ‘97) and this includes training as well.
Good luck.

You may be thinking of the Dana (also made by alphasmart) or about a product called Dreamwriter that may no longer be produced. If you are interested in a cheap (relatively), lightweight laptop, check out Averatec products. I bought one for my child for about $750 (Dana costs $400). The Averatec weighs 4.5 lbs and has all the features of any laptop, except a floppy disc drive. You can purchase a portable, lightweight floppy drive if you want and plug it into one of the several USB ports on the computer. We like this product a lot. Before this laptop, we had a heavier one made by Compaq. This one is better. If you do buy a laptop, consider splurging on a good protective case. We got one that cost $50 but is lightweight and reinforced with foam and plastic.

Andrea

Thank you both for the great information!

I have one question. Although we have been through the IEP process several times (for the bipolar/behavior aspects) I don’t know what an AT assessment is. Could someone clear this up for me?

Sorry - AT stands for Assistive Technology and it is one of the five considerations that every IEP team must consider for students on an IEP.

Here’s what the law says (The Assistive technology consideration is the last consideration. You don’t have to guess what would be beneficial for your son but considering AT will help to identify what he requires):

300.346 Development, review, and revision of IEP.
(a) Development of IEP.
(1) General. In developing each child’s IEP, the IEP team, shall consider -
(i) The strengths of the child and the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child;
(ii) The results of the initial or most recent evaluation of the child; and
(iii) As appropriate, the results of the child’s performance on any general State or district-wide assessment programs.
(2) Consideration of special factors. The IEP team also shall -
(i) In the case of a child whose behavior impedes his or her learning or that of others, consider, if appropriate, strategies, including positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports to address that behavior;
(ii) In the case of a child with limited English proficiency, consider the language needs of the child as those needs relate to the child’s IEP;
(iii) In the case of a child who is blind or visually impaired, provide for instruction in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP team determines, after an evaluation of the child’s reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing media (including an evaluation of the child’s future needs for instruction in Braille or the use of Braille), that instruction in Braille or the use of Braille is not appropriate for the child;
(iv) Consider the communication needs of the child, and in the case of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, consider the child’s language and communication needs, opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the child’s language and communication mode, academic level, and full range of needs, including opportunities for direct instruction in the child’s language and communication mode; and

[b](v) Consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services.[/b]

Hi

Depends on what you want the laptop to do, you might be able to pick up a second hand one cheap (I don’t know what is available in America). Or even possibly borrow an old one from someone.

That way your son could try it and see whether it “fits” or not.

Also remember, if you only want it to do word processing etc. it doesn’t need the lastest, fastest, greatest available. But if you want speech technology (either text-to-speech or speech-to-text) then it is a different story.

Good luck

Bernadette
Australia

Thanks! We are getting ready to have our next IEP meeting to discuss the latest information so this will be very helpful!