AT
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology device means, under 34 CFR §300.5, any item, piece of equipment, or product system (acquired commercially, modified, or customized) used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. IEP teams must consider AT needs at every annual review (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(v)). Categories include mobility, communication (AAC), access (switches, eye-gaze), cognition, and learning (TTS, speech-to-text).
Regulatory Citation
Example in Practice
A student with dyslexia receives text-to-speech software for grade-level content. Meta-analysis of 22 studies shows TTS yields d=0.35 overall and d=0.61 for severe reading impairment (Wood, Moxley, Tighe & Wagner 2018, J Learning Disabilities 51(1):73-84).
Key Research Citations
- ·Wood, Moxley, Tighe & Wagner (2018, J Learning Disabilities 51(1):73-84) — TTS meta-analysis
- ·Lancioni et al. (2020, Intl J Developmental Disabilities 66(3):187-198) — AT to support communication
- ·GAO-26-107506 (2026) — AT challenges in SPED
Full bibliography available on the Research page.
This glossary entry is educational. It is not legal or clinical advice. Consult a qualified attorney or licensed clinician before making decisions that rely on this summary.