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.