A software program for special education teachers can be a huge help in a classroom setting that requires intense lesson planning, scheduling and documentation within the scope of the Individual Education Program (IEP). Any district special ed program would benefit from a special education program, or multiple programs, that ease transitions for special education students moving to a new campus. Student records, including parent communication and assistive therapy notes, can move with the student using the right special education software on every district campus.

Choose special education software for specific applications when a single package doesn't offer everything you need.

1. Use district resources to find special education learning software that will help your learners participate more fully.

2. Find the right special education IEP software for your district to integrate and streamline special ed and assistive services.

3. Integrate special education application-specific software, such as programs for creating visual organizers, into your education program.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a computer-based special education solution to enhance your overall lesson delivery

Integrate special education learning software into your lesson planning and target individual students' learning styles. Use software to help you teach early expressive and receptive language skills, categorization, syntax, auditory processing and other speech and language skill sets. Or, incorporate visual stimulation for the autistic or other visual learner with lesson plans that are computerized and almost totally visual.

I recommend: Create a sample lesson plan based on your state's standards and see how Inspiration Software can help you implement visual tools to encourage effective learning. Learn about teaching software options through Laureate Learning Systems by choosing which application you'd like to explore.

Request information about special education automated software for IEP development

Ask special education software sales reps for guided tours of their companies' IEP software, download demos and view sample reports to find the best match for your students and your district. Confirm that the software encompasses all phases of IEP development, including Response To Intervention (RTI), Behavior Intervention Planning (BIP), Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA), and adult transition or job co-op planning.

I recommend: Visit Spectrum K12 School Solutions for a guide Webinar tour of Encore IEP Service Assurance, a program that provides tracking tickets for assistive therapy visits to ensure IEP compliance and adequate record-keeping. Get the same services through Vision Management Consulting's IEP PlaNET.

Find the special ed application to address assistive technology needs

Investigate software for special ed students with specific needs, such as a complete real-photo vocabulary for Autistic children to use with every lesson and everyday communication. Provide audio books read by real people instead of computer voices, or find a visual organizer system to encourage easier activity transitions and scheduling.

I recommend: Use TeachingPix to help Autistic students relate to the world around them using real-world photos as learning tools and picture communication symbols. For other special ed students, use Boardmaker's family of software products to develop daily living skills using visual organizers, as well as engage students in hands-on learning with picture overlays. Engage auditory learners with RFB&D Audio Textbooks, read by real people with real voice inflection.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Districts usually already have a single program for special ed teachers to use for IEP planning, recordkeeping and assistive technologies integration. If your district doesn't, however, it would serve the special ed students well to have all special education teachers and service providers on the same page, starting with Early Childhood and continuing through adult transition planning.