5 AT videos - many opportunities

Plus training!

The I pad is "a miracle" was one of the quotes that was tossed about the internet.  There are many stories that are on you tube that support this assessment.  The Carly video showed how she became able to communicate with her family and caregivers using the ipad.  I would not say that it is a miracle but I would definitely acknowledge that the ipad is a powerful tool that when used correctly and with proper support can open the door to communication.  So for the family the experience could be a miracle if there was no prior way to communicate with the child before the I pad was introduced and taught.  If the child does not have the cognitive ability to begin with, the I pad itself does not matter.   The equipment is the means to access abilities that already exist within the child and then continue to develop it.

One of the social stories for children

Model me kids - offered various pre designed social stories.  These stories can be used to show children with Austism what some of the acceptable responses are in different settings and for various situations.  This would be helpful for the families as well.  It is a difficult thing to navigate social interactions with children that struggle with reading cues like body language and facial expressions.  The opportunity to see and hear someone else have a phone conversation with a friend can allow for greater success when the child tries to initiate a call himself.

Proloquo2go

The youtube video that discussed Proloquo2go was showing a bit about how the system/app can work.  It also mentioned its affordability in comparison to some other high quality text to speech machines.  It is also used on the iphone or itouch.  This would allow for the tool to be in the child's pocket and make it easier to use in public situations.  The earlier video that was required watching also mentioned this app and the woman was completely in support of this and had all good things to say about it.  The I pad with the Proloquo2go  total cost was about $1000.  (At the time of the video - it could be less at this time.)


The Leslie Stahl 60 minutes piece again talked about the positive learning experiences that some children are experiencing.  The strongest part of the video was when the teacher tried working with the student on her numbers.  The paper that was printed with the numbers was not at all interesting as a learning tool.  The I pad with the numbers and voice saying the numbers was able to inspire the child to pay attention and participate to the lesson.  If the ability is within the child - the I pad can provide him with a platform in which to express his knowledge, needs or opinions.  The non judgmental and impersonal machine offers, what seems to be, a safe place to try and try again if necessary.

I went to the "Geekdad" page.  This dad wanted to clarify the "miracle" name calling that was being used in reference to the I pad.  I do agree with his ultimate message though I did feel he did need to supply more factual truths and studies to back up his statements.  The use of the word "miracle" was not meant by anyone as a "cure" for autism or any other communicative disorder.  The gift that it can sometimes supplies family with is the first words from a child in 10 years.  The frustration that occurs on a daily basis when, as a parent, you try to meet the needs of a child and cannot guess right is monumental.  Our most helpless moments are when we cannot understand or help our children or students.  If the I pad provides the link to being able to communicate with more students - it comes close to being a miracle in my eyes.  I do agree that the I pad should not be used as a "babysitter" and needs to be taught properly and maybe then we can access even farther into the silence that exists while behind the child's eyes you know there lies so much more.  
www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/03/ipads-are-not-a-miracle-for-autism-geekdad-opinion/