We have been lucky in that we have not even had to ask for an AT assessment (a formal one, anyway). The former VP at DD's school was an AT guru and her masters work centred around LDs and AT. When DD transferred to the school, they had multiple aid ready for her to try out. When she exceeded the cowriter's abilities, they asked the school board to fund Ginger software for her classroom laptop (we suggested it, as we use it at home). Now that it has been approved, it will be available to her in all of her classrooms for as long as needed. This year, she has an iPad for her own personal use. We paid for the iPad, all the apps (we wanted to try out different ones than could be provided) and a wireless printer (for home use). We did not approach them for this technology as we knew that they were already providing good AT in the classroom. We wanted DD to have the iPad so that she could get used to it before middle school next year.
It can be a positive experience. We had a much tougher fight to get her ADHD adaptations at her old school. This school is fantastic. The principal checks in with her a few times each month and they are often the ones to make suggestions. We rarely have to ask for anything.
