Assistive Technology for Youth

Your Learning, Your Independence, Your Future

Our dedicated team at the Michigan Assistive Technology Program believes that children and youth deserve access to the tools that will help them succeed in education, recreation, and development of life skills. Through assistive technology designed for youth, we're supporting the next generation to participate fully in school, home, and community life.

quote graphic text reads The right assistive technology can be transformative for a child—opening doors to learning, independence, and self-expression that might otherwise remain closed. Every time I see a young person discover what they can do with the right tools, I'm reminded of why this work matters so much. matp at specialist with an image of a young individual with curly hair smiling while using a switch adapted fiber optic lamp

What is Assistive Technology for Youth?

AT for youth includes a wide variety of tools, apps, and equipment! It can include AT for:

  • Sensory needs
  • Self regulation
  • Flexible seating
  • Supportive seating
  • Gross motor movement
  • Reading, writing, arts, and crafts
  • Computer and tablet access
  • Communication
  • Adaptive clothing and shoes
  • Personal care
  • Recreational activities (indoor and outdoor)

Youth assistive technology encompasses any device, tool, or system that helps children and adolescents with disabilities participate more fully in education, social activities, and daily routines. These tools can support development in multiple areas while fostering independence and confidence.

How We Fill the Gap

Our youth AT program addresses several critical gaps in access:

  • We provide rural school districts that wouldn't otherwise have the funding for a particular loaner device/type of AT the opportunity to borrow that device to use to trial with a student to determine if it helps support access to their education before the school district purchases it.
  • When a school district's AT lending library is at max capacity, we can help provide devices to loan/trial with students before the district purchases them for students in need.
  • We provide AT for private occupational, physical, and speech language therapists to trial with children when not otherwise available.
  • We help provide AT for children to use at home while waiting for insurance funded devices or for their school districts to send AT home over weekends/breaks.
  • We provide education tailored for school-aged children to learn about assistive technology and how they can use it to support their self-regulation and sensory needs.

We believe that all children deserve consistent access to the tools they need across all environments—school, home, and community—without gaps that could hinder their development or participation.

Why Youth AT Matters

The right assistive technology can:

  • Support inclusion in general education settings
  • Build independence in daily activities
  • Enhance communication skills and social participation
  • Develop literacy and academic skills
  • Foster creativity and self-expression
  • Support sensory processing and self-regulation
  • Build confidence and self-advocacy skills
  • Enable participation in play and recreation
  • Create foundations for future education and employment
  • Reduce barriers between children with and without disabilities

Examples of Youth Assistive Technology

Our inventory includes a wide range of solutions of support:

child sitting in yellow chair on feet of chair there is a band going from one of the front legs to the other with the childs feet resting on top of it

Bouncy Bands

Bouncy Bands attach to the legs of a chair or desk, giving kids a quiet way to bounce or stretch their feet while sitting. This subtle movement helps children with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing needs release excess energy, stay regulated, and improve focus during schoolwork or group activities. They’re an easy, low-cost tool that supports attention while making classrooms more inclusive for all learners.

timer with box behind the the timer has three colored lights from top to bottom red, yellow then green

Visual Timers

The Time Tracker Classroom Timer utilizes color-coded lights and optional sounds to indicate the remaining time, making it easier for children to understand and manage transitions. It helps by reducing stress and keeping them on task. By making time visual and predictable, it helps build independence and smoother participation in group or classroom activities.

wooden structure with two padded rollers one green one yellow with a child squeezing through the two rollers smiling

Kids Steamroller

A sensory or pressure steamroller provides gentle, consistent deep-pressure input as kids crawl through the padded rollers. This calming sensory feedback can help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and regulate emotions, making it especially helpful for children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing. It’s a fun and playful way to meet sensory needs while building confidence and body awareness.

Success Stories

MATP partnered with a center based program trialing a new school wide event called "AT Tuesdays," where each Tuesday they featured a variety of stations (e.g., literacy, fine motor, art, recreation) containing AT based activities related to their school's theme of the month.

MATP provided AT and AT demonstrations for every student participating. Over the course of several months, students got to try out adapted fishing poles, switch adapted items, adapted writing utensils, adapted scissors, Guided Hands, and more. These days were engaging for students and staff alike and there are developing plans to continue this creative collaboration.

Invite Us To

We'd love to support youth with assistive technology! Invite us to:

  • Your School!
  • Your Home!
  • IEP/IFSP/504/Transition Planning Meetings
  • Occupational, Physical, and Speech Language Therapy Sessions
  • School Classrooms
  • School-Wide Events
  • School Open Houses
  • Staff Training Meetings/Days/Events
  • After-School Clubs
  • Career Day Events
  • Foster Care Agency meetings/trainings
  • Youth Conferences
  • Summer Camps
  • Library Programs
  • Scout Troop Meetings
  • Community Youth Centers

Try Youth AT for Free

Our FREE demonstrations and device loans allow you to explore AT options in the environments where children spend their time—classrooms, therapy rooms, and homes. We come to YOU anywhere in Michigan, bringing examples of youth AT solutions that might help address specific challenges in learning, communication, mobility, or daily activities.

Whether you're a parent looking for tools to support your child at home, an educator creating an inclusive classroom, or a therapist seeking the right fit for a client, we're here to help you discover the possibilities.

Your learning, your independence, your technology—let's explore the possibilities together.

Contact MATP:

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