issues in autism-tech resources in context

Issues in Autism: Applying Tech Resources in Context

April 21, 2012Sean J. Sweeney M.S., M.Ed., CCC-SLP

SpeechTechie.com, Newton Public Schools, Ely Center, Newton, MA, Smarty Ears Apps

Sunday, April 22, 12

Agenda:

• Example of tech integration and targeting objectives in context.

• Setting the climate: primer on intervention programs/tools

• Dedicated apps targeting language and social skills

• FIVES criteria for “repurposing” webtools and apps

• Visualizing social interaction with webtools and apps

• Apps and behavior, sensory processing and executive function

• Placing Tech in context with Pre/Post activities

• App Trends

• Finding Resources on your Own

Sunday, April 22, 12

Disclosures

•Contractual relationship with Smarty Ears Apps for app development.

•Contractual relationship with Mindwing Concepts, create blog content related to products such as Story Grammar Marker

Sunday, April 22, 12

Weblisthttp://bit.ly/card412

bit.ly/cardissuessean

Sunday, April 22, 12

Tech and our population:• Motivating and VISUAL

• Opportunities to APPLY vocab and concepts (e.g. Social Thinking® strategies, 5 Point Scale)

• Playful stepping stone to reality

• Make more transient moments salient

• Comics also “a draw”

• Sharable

Sunday, April 22, 12

IEP Objectives-will define or describe and use curriculum vocabulary or concepts (from ___ units)-will name abstract categories and the items within them.-will use conjunctions such as because and so within causal complex sentences-will sequence actions in a verbal narrative, with use of essential elements such as character and setting.

Sunday, April 22, 12

Addressing Objectives in context:

Earth, Sun, Moon Interactive Adventure

Earth, Sun, MoonBBC Science Clips

Earth, Sun, Moon Interactive Adventure

Nasa LER and Solar WalkEarth, Sun, Moon

Interactive Adventure

Kitten’s FirstFull Moon

Sunday, April 22, 12

Character

Setting

Kickoff: Ho-hum day until...

Actions

Response/Feeling PlanWe feel excited

Conclusion

A Primer on StoryGrammar Marker

Sunday, April 22, 12

5 Disaster

4 Major Problem

3 Problem

2 Little Problem

1 Glitch

Expected Reaction

huh.(shrug)

Aw. That’s annoying

AW! (maybe cry)

WAAAAAAH!

AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

A Primer on The Incredible 5-Point Scale

Talk Time Negatory SillySunday, April 22, 12

A Primer on Social Thinking® concepts:

• Expected vs. Unexpected Behaviors

• Social Algebra and the Social Behavior Map

• Listening with Eyes, Body, and Brain

• Thinking With your Eyes, Making “Smart Guesses”

• Superflex vs. Unthinkables

• Strategy Codes

Social Thinking is based on the work of Michelle Garcia Winner- see socialthinking.com

Sunday, April 22, 12

The Power Card Strategy

Sunday, April 22, 12

Examples of Dedicated Apps for This Population (what’s “out there”)

• Conversation Builder/Language Builder

• Go-Togethers

• Social Adventures

• The Social Express

• Model Me Going Places

Sunday, April 22, 12

The

Criteria

For Evaluating and Integrating Simple Tech Resources in Speech and Language Interventions

Sunday, April 22, 12

Free Interactive Visual Educationally “Speechie” Relevant

Sunday, April 22, 12

Free*Self-Explanatory

Limited Budgets

Watch for Ads

Some Subscriptions/District-provided resources can be great

*sometimes “a free app is not worth it”

Sunday, April 22, 12

InteractiveDifferent from Quiz-Based

Students make choices, solve problems

Scaffolding is needed!

Keystrokes, click-and-drag, publication

Sunday, April 22, 12

Interactive vs.

Web 2.0

Sunday, April 22, 12

Technology can add visual elements to abstract concepts

Creation tools can help you present visual materials

Also visuals related to the curriculum

Visual

Sunday, April 22, 12

Educationally Relevant

Eligibility based on curriculum progress

Curriculum is always a language context

Looking at standards

“Keep a strategic focus” (Ehren, 2000)

Sunday, April 22, 12

“Speechie”• Activities broadly related to

S/L

• Often won’t find much if look for specific S/L activities

• Must look “through a language lens”

Sunday, April 22, 12

Task analysisDoes the activity require the student to:

● Follow verbal (written or auditory) directions or sequence steps to

complete a task?

● Comprehend story- or information-based language and discuss its elements

(e.g. “main ideas and details”)?

● Organize elements into categories, describe, define or create associations?

● Generate complex sentences or discourse (narrative or expository)?

● Use discussion, balanced-literacy, or problem-solving strategies (e.g.

inference)?

● Apply selected academic strategies (e.g. note-taking, use of graphic

organizer)?

● Respond verbally so as to use accurate articulation, voice or fluency

strategies?

● Utilize social interaction or social thinking skills to complete a task?

Sunday, April 22, 12

Go Animate (and spin-off)

• Produce animated scenes with focus on movement, setting, interaction w/environment.

• Thought bubbles can be used to show internal state, self-talk.

• Also context for facial expression.

• Narrative organization tool!

Sunday, April 22, 12

Sunday, April 22, 12

xtranormal

• Like Go!Animate, can be accessed at YouTube Create (youtube.com/create)

• Funny!

• Focus on dialogue (characters only move in place) and verbal expected/unexpected behaviors

• Easy to use, costs $, can apply for teacher points.

• See post on blog at socialthinking.comSunday, April 22, 12

Toontastic

Free

Puppet PalsFree

$2.99 for “Directors’ Pass

iPad Analogues

Sunday, April 22, 12

Kerpoof and Pixtonmake static comic stories

• Schools Portal (free)

• Many story templates/lesson plans through Kerpoof Scholastics

• Simple but limited

• Good for story form,social story or List (e.g. expecteds in a setting)

• Schools Portal ($$) or free account

• Highly customizable but bit of a learning curve

• Focus on facial expressions/reactions

• Remix versions to showdifferent scenarios

Sunday, April 22, 12

5 Disaster

4 Major Problem

3 Problem

2 Little Problem

1 Glitch

Expected Reaction

huh.(shrug)

Aw. That’s annoying

AW! (maybe cry)

WAAAAAAH!

AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Sunday, April 22, 12

iPad Analogues

Art in App: Big Nate: Comix by U!

Using Photos: Strip Designer and

Comic Life

Sunday, April 22, 12

iPad Apps Targeting Behavior

Choiceworks$14.99

Visual SchedulePlanner$14.99

First Then Visual Schedule

$9.99

Sunday, April 22, 12

Sosh AppFrom mysosh.com:Practice Conversation StrategiesLearn to RelaxPursue Social OutingsRecognize EmotionsTransition Between Activities EffectivelyJournal Social ProgressDevelop IEP GoalsRegulate Speech VolumeReceive Feedback from Teachers, Parents, and Therapists

Sunday, April 22, 12

iPad Apps Targeting Executive Functioning

ChorepadLite/$4.99

PhotosynthFree

SkitchFree

Painting with TimeFree

Sunday, April 22, 12

Thanks for coming!!Find more at:

sean@speechtechie.comtwitter.com/speechtechie

Sunday, April 22, 12