The use of assistive technologies is under utilised and misunderstood when teachers explore the needs of students with emotional and behavioural disorders. As schools explore positive behaviour support options for students, they need to consider a range of assistive technology options that will support their efforts to maximise student learning and participation. Four areas of assistive technology applications will be discussed in this workshop.

1. Cognition – applications that support learning, thinking and problem solving
2. Behaviour – applications that support appropriate and pro-social behaviours
3. Affect – applications that help identify and address feelings and emotions
4. Data – applications that assist in collecting data to monitor program implementation

Assistive technology can be a powerful educational tool for students with emotional and behavioural disorders. The barrier for teachers is to know what assistive technology is available and how to meaningfully integrate this technology into the curriculum. This workshop will assist participants to appreciate the role of assistive technology for this underserved student population.

Greg O’Connor has been actively involved in supporting the learning of people with diverse learning needs for 29 years. During this time he has worked as a classroom teacher, school executive, district consultant and regional manager with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training. Greg’s areas of interest and expertise include supporting people with complex needs, challenging behaviours and autism, and literacy support technologies for people with learning disabilities. He is passionately committed to the use of assistive and instructional technologies to support the learning of ALL students in school and post school settings. Greg is the Education Services Manager at Spectronics.