IEP and Assistive Technology 4: Eye-Gaze System and Prerecorded Messages

Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance: Michael is in the second grade classroom for most of the school day. He is interested in the material being presented by the teacher and wants to participate. He has a full time paraprofessional who assists him. He has difficulty being an active participant in academics because he uses a voice output AAC device and frequently does not have the “right” answer. The teacher is concerned at the amount of time it currently takes while Michael struggles to answer questions. The teacher is interested in finding ways for Michael to more actively participate.

Annual Goal: Michael will use eye gaze and prerecorded messages to respond to appropriately phrased questions in four subject area classes, mathematics, reading, science and social studies in three out of five opportunities.

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An eye-gaze system tracks a user’s eye-movement and converts that signal to a mouse movement on a computer. This device is a solution for students who  have limited or no muscle control but can control their eye movement. Students can select from a list of words or phrases to be spoken by the computer in order to take part in conversation. Hovering over an image, or blinking an eye when above that image is analogous to a mouse click. This can benefit students with muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and injuries to spinal cord and brain stem.

Resources:

Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (2nd ed., pp. 183-184). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.