[James Burke]

Part 1:
The SETT framework is a basis to assistive technology assessment. Its aligns well with the student’s School Support File as it makes sure the assistive technology is individually tailored to best help meet the child’s needs and is more specific for the child. It is a collaborative approach and a structured approach for the child. Integrating the School Support File allows a more rounded and complete picture of the child. The SETT framework states that we must always start with the student. We can understand the student more by looking at their School Support File. This will let us see the child’s strengths and areas they are struggling with. We can also see any reports on the child. The next area is the environment. We can look at the physical arrangements of the classroom and how the child interacts with this environment. The SSF may also contain observations and notes from the teacher on this. The tasks area of the framework may have different assessments from the SSF that can help us get a better understanding. We must also assess the tools as they allow us to reflect on what we are currently doing to support the child and additional tools to help the child perform in the environment. By integrating the SETT model and the student’s School Support File it gives us a more comprehensive insight in the child’s needs and how we can try and meet these needs in a more structured way. This ensures we have child-centred and targeted approach. I feel it’s important that like the SSF that we review and have this as a working document.

Part 2:
Here is a SETT Plan for a boy named John in 4th class who has dyslexia. He struggles with writing due to dyspraxia.
Student: Good oral language skills, good imagination, difficulty writing, poor fine motor skills, anxious about written tasks
Environment: In mainstream, has terra putty to help develop fine motor skills, seated in group with other children, pencil grip to help support
Task: Tasks include written responses to text, story writing, reflective journal entries
Tools: Slanted writing surface, Dictate feature in One Note-aid writing through speech-to-text, ergonomic pen

This plan helps me get a more child-centred and holistic view of this child’s needs and how this child’s needs can be met through assistive technology. The structured approach gave me a better understanding of how to best support this child. The speech to text function means John doesn’t have to worry about his handwriting and how legible his hand writing is. He has the ideas in his head but getting these ideas down on the page was a challenge for him. This makes John more independent and makes the process more enjoyable and less daunting for him. It gives him the confidence and autonomy to complete written tasks.

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