The SELPA Adaptive Technology Center (ATC) provides IEP teams with support to assess and determine a student’s assistive technology (AT) needs through either the AT Consideration process or an AT or augmentative alternative communication (AAC) needs assessment. The level of support varies depending on the student’s eligible disability.
For students with non-low incidence disabilities, the ATC provides support to IEP teams utilizing an AT consideration process. This process helps IEP team members identify barriers within the student’s learning environment and match AT tools to the students’ needs.
For students with low-incidence disabilities, who have specialized access needs, the ATC offers individualized support through AT and AAC assessments. These assessments are conducted by professionals with expertise in evaluating the unique needs of students with low-incidence disabilities.
To make a referral for an assessment to determine assistive technology (AT) needs for educational productivity or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for a student with a low-incidence disability, please submit the following information:
Consent to Release or Exchange Information (ROI)
Signed Assessment Plan
All forms must be complete and submitted to the ATC email address: atc@sonomaselpa.org. Once received, your referral request will be forwarded to the ATC lead assigned to your LEA or program. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your submission. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact:
Debbie Anacleto
Email: danacleto@sonomaselpa.org
Any student with a non-low incidence disability who demonstrates complex communication needs can be referred to the SELPA Adaptive Technology Center (ATC) for an AAC Needs Assessment. This referral can be made if the IEP team determines that additional information is needed to support the selection and development of an appropriate AAC system for the student. There is no prerequisite for AAC.
When should I consider an AAC Needs Assessment?
When it appears that verbal communication alone is not meeting a child’s needs and no aided supports are in place.
Student has access to some form(s) of aided communication, or tools, but they don’t seem to be supporting his/her needs at this point in time.
As part of our participation in the Open Access Project, the ATC supports the training and coaching of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in many of our LEAs to conduct these assessments. However, if further information is needed or if the LEA does not have an SLP to conduct assessments in this area, the ATC is available to provide support. During this process, we may request the collection of data and information from IEP team members, who know the student best, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
To make a referral for an AAC Needs Assessment, please submit the following information:
Signed Assessment Plan
All forms must be complete and submitted to the ATC email address: atc@sonomaselpa.org. Once received, your referral request will be forwarded to an ATC/AAC Lead. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your submission.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact:
Andrea Wells
Email: awells@sonomaselpa.org
Phone: 707-524-2764
Considering the need for assistive technology (AT) devices and services is a critical part of every student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). At the Adaptive Technology Center (ATC), we believe the first step to determining the right assistive technology tools begins with an AT Consideration.
An AT Consideration is NOT AN ASSESSMENT. An AT Consideration IS a team-based process whereby the IEP Team collaborates on the student’s needs for assistive technology. This focused conversation ensures that tools are identified and selected to support the student’s educational access and progress.
There are many open resources available to help IEP Teams navigate this process, including this guide from Open Access.
We recognize that IEP Teams may need additional guidance to:
Identify the student’s specific needs.
Matching the student’s needs with appropriate AT tools.
Identification of AT tools and resources.
Select and implement effective assistive technology solutions.
The ATC is here to support this process!
To request support to conduct an AT Consideration, please submit the following information to atc@sonomaselpa.org:
For more information, please contact:
Rudy Marticorena
Email: rmarticorena@sonomaselpa.org