Assistive Solutions to Facilitate the Active Participation of Young Children
By Sheets, Lana; Wirkus-Pallaske; Closing the Gap, Vol. 19, No. 3, p. 32Publication Date: August/September 2000
Article focuses on the ScheduTool, which serves as a communication tool for all Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team members, and provides a structured framework for objectives over time. The ScheduTool materials include a piece of tag board (22 by five inches) to act as the anchor for the schedule, six clear book pockets, and envelope labels with the days of the week written on. The first pocket contains the picture symbol of the week's theme, with the days of the week following vertically. Index cards serve as vehicles for staff communication, and they are placed in the top pocket of the ScheduTool. As various team members enter the classroom, they can check their card to see what priorities the team has defined. The ScheduTool also functions to provide a structured framework of the day for the children in the class. Picture symbols of the day's activities can be laminated together to form one continuous schedule for the day. For students with learning disabilities, or those who have trouble performing multiple-step tasks, an individual activity schedule may be created and placed in a specific place. ScheduTool was developed through the continuing need for structure in the classroom for young children, as well as for the need for IEP team members to communicate effectively.
Published by: Closing the Gap, Inc. (Website:http://www.closingthegap.com)
