Terrilyn H.

Ladd
AT Department Lead Teacher/2 years
Activity: Visit Local School Competitor (G. p.)


Since I am fairly new at being the leader of the AT Department, it was important for me to review our
departments evaluation procedures to determine if we needed to make any changes to those procedures. I needed to
make sure our current procedures were in line with our districts goals. In looking at our procedures for assessment
and provision of equipment, we appeared to have some different reasons why HCDE would provide AT equipment
when compared to other agencies. I was able to observe at the facility of whom I would consider the schools
systems biggest competitor. For the purposes of this reflection, we will call them S. C.
We were getting so many referrals for AT equipment for those students that were just enrolling into HCDE
from S.C.s preschool program. Their facility offered AT equipment to the students but many of those devices
provided were based upon the request of the parents. Sometimes, parents state that they have discovered cutting
edge technology that their child must have. Other agencies will provide that equipment because the parents have
requested it and sometimes the student is unable to use the equipment right away. They are sometimes told that the
student will grow into it.
Another thing that I noticed was that the competitor agency allowed sales representatives to come into their
facility to demonstrate the latest and greatest AT devices. The representatives that I met offered a certain amount of
training if the parents would buy their equipment. This is very appealing to parents because they think that this
device will cure their child and make them talk. Even better, the facilities file insurance claims so that the parents
can get the devices on their insurance and that device then belongs to the family. SC does a lot of catering to the
demands of the parents and when they send their students to the HCDE schools, it is sometimes a rude awakening
for them. HCDE follows strict procedures.
There are some big differences between the way S.C. prescribes devices and the way the school system
prescribes devices/AT systems. One of the biggest differences is HCDEs rationale for providing AT equipment.
Generally, AT equipment and devices are not provided just because the parents have requested a specific device. We
perform AT assessments to determine what equipment is necessary to help the student access the curriculum. We
help the provide the student with necessary equipment that will give them access to meet academic goals
(including communication/social, writing, etc.). Another difference between SC and HCDE is that HCDE does not
file insurance. Devices that we provide are still owned by the school system. So once a student is no longer eligible
or graduates, all technology is turned back in to the school.
I did not notice structured academic activities while at SC. The activities were very child-centered and
child-directed. During those child-directed activities, there would always be a teacher or assistant with the student to
encourage engagement in the activity in which the student wanted to participate. In HCDE programs, the activities
are very structured; they are designed to meet standards and academic goals/objectives. HCDE attempts to provide
students with opportunities to access equipment to meet academic goals whereas SC does not focus on the academic
goals.
If I was asked by a parent if SC or a HCDE school was a better placement, I could answer objectively and
honestly. I would definitely be able to say that HCDEs system-wide programs are excellent placements. HCDE
caters the students educational experience to the students needs. The skills that we work on in HCDE will prepare
students to excel academically to the greatest extent possible. As far as providing the AT equipment that parents
want, we first have to complete an evaluation. We want to be sure we provide the equipment that the student needs
currently to access the curriculum and not be something that they have to grow into. The equipment does belong to
the school system but students can change AT equipment if they need something different to access the curriculum.
It is also good that HCDE provides training on AT equipment provided instead of having to wait on a regional
company representative to have time to train.
I do not believe HCDE is perfect in its system-wide programs or its provision of services. However, HCDE
provides a solid foundation to the students attending their system-wide programs. I have seen the students coming
from SC to HCDE struggle to find their way. The students are often behind academically when they get to HCDE
because the focus of SC is the child-directed activities. The programs of HCDEs system-wide classes are more than
a babysitting service. The HCDE programs provide challenging academic activities (which some define as rigor)
and individualized as well as appropriate strategies for students to access the curriculum.