Families Needed for Vanderbilt University AAC Research Project

The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously brought so many challenges for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Researchers at Vanderbilt University have received a small grant from the Spencer Foundation to try to address some of these challenges by learning more about the ways that families are involved in language and literacy learning for children with disabilities who have limited verbal speech, and how to support strong outcomes for children in their families.

Families will receive up to $220 in gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, or Target) and two new children’s books for participating.

 They are actively recruiting families throughout the state of Tennessee with a child who:

  1. Is in Kindergarten through 4th grade in a public school for the 2020-2021 school year

  2. Has a significant intellectual or developmental disability (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, severe developmental delay)

  3. Is nonverbal or limited speech (uses single words or 1-3 word phrases, or augmentative or alternative communication such as pictures or a speech-generating device or “talker”)

Families will participate in all of the research activities remotely, in their homes and at times that are convenient to them. Participation is confidential and involves parents: completing online questionnaires, providing an electronic copy of their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), completing interviews with a research team member, and participating in two very brief home-based sessions through web-based videoconferencing with a researcher (about 10 min in length, parents will read and interact with their child).

To complete these activities, families will need to speak English conversationally (though they can also speak another language in the home) and have access to internet and a device, such as a phone, tablet, or computer in their home. 

Click here for a printable flyer with additional information or follow this LINK to let us know that you are interested in participating!

If you have any questions, you can contact Elizabeth E. Biggs, PhD at the information below. You can also share with other families if they have a child who meets this description!

Elizabeth Biggs, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
Vanderbilt University
Elizabeth.e.biggs@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 343-2494

Janice Reese

My name is Janice Reese and I LOVE assistive technology! I worked as an Occupational Therapist for more than 15 years, earned a Master’s degree in Education Technology, and I’m RESNA certified as an Assistive Technology Profession (ATP). I have worked in the school system for many years now and I love using technology to enhance the lives of children with disabilities. Since my first love is teaching, I’ve spent just as much time training wonderful teachers everywhere to use these tools in their classrooms. AT4Kids, llc was founded in 2008 in an effort to provide quality instruction and resources for teachers, therapists, student users and parents who wanted to know more about using AT.

I currently serve as Director of the Center for Assistive Technology, a state-supported program of the Little TN Valley Educational Cooperative. LTVEC is a non-profit agency whose goal is to provide rehabilitation services and accessibility supports for students with special needs in east Tennessee. My AT4Kids blog is designed to be as a one-stop resource for ideas and information for those wanting to learn more about the use of AT with children in the special education setting.

I hope to offer helpful hints, program and product reviews, AT recommendations, links to great new finds on the web, and lists of resources for “all things AT”.

Previous
Previous

LTVEC provides back-to-school AT support for its districts

Next
Next

Families Needed for Vanderbilt University AAC Research Project