Strategies for Success: Using Technology to Communicate with Your Developmentally Disabled Child (Part 1)

A Webinar for Parents by Parents

Recorded on January 11, 2012

Important!!

The information provided during this webinar is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. A physician should be consulted for all clinical care

and treatment decisions.

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This webinar was made possible with funding from the Health Resources Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau

under grant # U23MC08582 Project Access: Improving Care for Children and Youth with Epilepsy

National Center for Project Access

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The National Center for Project Access of the Epilepsy Foundation

is the nation’s only national center dedicated to improving the lives of families of children and youth with epilepsy by

providing education and resources to improve quality of care.

parentinfo@efa.org www.accessforepilepsy.org 301-918-3724

www.epilepsyfoundation.org 1-800-332-1000

National Center for Project Access

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The purpose of this webinar is to provide parents, family members and other caregivers with information, resources and strategies to

successfully communicate with your child with epilepsy and other related conditions.

Purpose

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Now, let’s hear from the experts…

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Owner of Epilepsy Awareness Resources Occupational Therapist Parent liaison, Arrowhead School District Hartland, WI

Jennifer Bertram, Moderator

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Communication

You are your child’s voice Watch your child carefully (iPhone story) Intent to communicate- “team evaluate Meghan” Behavior is communication Rapid Prompting method

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Communication Apps

Free

My Talk Lite My Talk Mobile My Workspace

Not-so-free

Prologue2go ($189.00) iSign ($4.99) Sign4me ($9.99) Tap to talk ($99.00 /year)

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Organization and Behavior Apps

Organization

iReward $2.99 •Time timer $4.99 • First then $9.99 • iPrompts $49.99 • iCommunicate $45.00 • IEP checklist free

Behavior

iReward Lite (free) Round to it ($1.99) All-done ($1.99) Time Timer ($9.99) Behaviortrackerpro

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Epilepsy Apps

Seizure Log (seizure tracker) (free) Periodtracker Lite (free)

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Behavior Apps

iReward Lite (free) Round to it ($1.99) All-done ($1.99) Time Timer ($9.99) Behavior Tracker Pro ($29.99)

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Sensory Apps

Blowfish Poppers (free) A Mood Pad- Heat Sensitive

Surface (free) Bright Puzzles: Sea Life Lite

(free) Bubble wrap - break the

bubbles in bubble wrap (free)

Facegoo Lite (free) Fireworks Lite (free)

ILuv Mozart ($1.99) iRelax Lite (free) Kinetic balls (free) Whiteboard Lite (free) Lightstrings ($1.99) Metronome (free) Relax ($2.99)

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Music, Art and Game Apps

Music tap drum pad tone pad vocal zoo white noise drums

Games animal match monkey diving bubble wrap paper toss skee ball pac-man uno

Art Curious

George Doodle kids iColoring

books Doodle buddy Sculptmaster

3d

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Functional Issue Apps

Model Me Going Places (free) Conover Company– has several apps supporting a

variety of educational needs (free or lost cost) ABA flashcards, photos and real audio (free)

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Contact

Bertramjenny3@gmail.com EpilepsyAwarenessResources.com

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Elizabeth Aquino

It is through speech and language that we often define ourselves

In our family, the siblings of our disabled daughter have wished, most of all and most often, that their sister could talk to them.

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A Family’s Journey to Communicate

The process of trying out means of communication for your non-verbal child is often long and frustrating.

Our journey began very early, when Sophie was about three years

old and received traditional speech therapy. Over the years we tried nearly every augmentative and communication device and method available. We did this privately and through the school district. There was little to no follow-up in the schools and most of the time, we were flying by the seat of our pants.

At the age of fifteen, we were connected to Cindy Cottier in

Pasadena, California. Ms. Cottier introduced Sophie to her first iPad. It was a breakthrough.

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We ask the questions and supply the answers. We shout at ourselves and shout back. We translate our children's garbled speech for others. It is a lot of physical, mental and emotional work to be someone else's voice. It is also a sacred responsibility.

– Barbara Gill in Changed by a Child: Companion Notes for

Parents of a Child with a Disability, Doubleday, 1997

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Sophie, listening to a book on the iPad with her friend Erika

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Sophie with her brother Oliver, exploring the new iPad

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Resources

Mission iPossible - www.missionipossible.blogspot.com This non-profit organization periodically gives out free iPads to children

with disabilities. The Mission: iPossible! Group was founded for the purpose of connecting those in the Special Needs Community who have a specific need to those that have the ability to fulfill that need.

Ocean House Media – www.oceanhousemedia.com A leading publisher of more than 285 apps for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod

Touch), Android, NOOK Color, NOOK Tablet, Kindle Fire and HP TouchPad devices. The company's mantra is “Creativity with Purpose,” developing apps that uplift, educate and inspire.

Hopeful Parents – www.hopefulparents.org grassroots support for parents

of children with special needs

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Elizabeth Aquino elsophie@gmail.com http://www.elizabethaquino.blogspot.com

Contact

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Cindy Cottier, M.A., M.Ed., C.C.C. Speech-Language Pathologist

Augmentative Communication Specialist Augmentative Communication Therapies 26

Benefits of the iPad: - larger, touch sensitive display allows for

easier access - bright display attracts visual attention - customization quick and easy - internal camera increases the availability of

symbols - lightweight and portable - appears age appropriate - easy to support - affordable

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Applications for

Beginning and Simple Levels of Communication

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TapSpeak Button

- similar to a mechanical switch

- records a single message

- can display a shape or digital photograph

- may pre-record numerous single messages

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TapSpeak Button may be appropriate for:

- responding with an anticipated response (e.g.,

morning circle)

- calling to assistance (possibly in environments with many distractions)

- social greeting

- cheering and sound effects during group activities

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TapSpeak Sequence

- similar to a mechanical button

- records a sequence of messages

- can display a shape or digital photograph

- may pre-record numerous sequences

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TapSpeak Sequence may be appropriate for:

- multi-turn routine social interactions

- giving directions

- retelling the events of an experience or the day

- cheering and sound effects during group activities

- telling jokes and stories

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Answers:YesNo

- easy to use

- create numerous 2 location displays

- printed words or digital photographs

- customizable

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Answers:YesNo may be appropriate for:

- responding yes/no

- making a choice between 2 choices

- responding to simple questions

- indicating what order activities should be

completed

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Applications for

Mid-Levels of Communication

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Look2Learn

- easy to use

- allows scrolling through stacks of photographs

- digitized voice output

- customizable

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Look2Learn may be appropriate for:

- reviewing choices by scrolling through stacks of picture choices

- quickly selecting desired location

- selecting desired people

- indicating emotions

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GoTalk Now for iPad - full featured

- for beginner to more experienced communicators

- easy to use

- touch based editor

- situation specific displays

- customizable

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GoTalk Now for iPad may be appropriate for:

- recreating displays that were used on original

GoTalk

- displays of varying complexity may be created

- activity/category specific pages

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SoundingBoard by AbleNet

- displays of up to 9 locations

- linking pages

- symbols or digital photographs

- switch access (1 and 2 switches)

- NOW WITH AUDITORY SCANNING!!!

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SoundingBoard by AbleNet may be appropriate for:

- activity/category specific pages

- teaching beginning level navigating

- greatest strength is the auditory scanning capabilities

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Applications for

Generative Levels of Communication

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Proloquo2Go - full featured AAC solution

- text-to-speech

- high resolution symbols and digital photographs

- automatic conjugation

- full expandability

- BUT………

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It needs to be modified!

- high navigational demands need

to be lowered.

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Accessing the iPad

- carrying cases

- keyguards

- switches

- mounts

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Incase Convertible Book Jacket

- Modified with grommets, rings and strap

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Keyguards for the iPad2 - Custom made keyguards

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Keyguards for the iPad2 - Commercially available for

Proloquo2Go (Lasered Pics)

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Access Through Head Switch

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Interfaces for Scanning - R J Bluetooth Cordless Switch Interface

- Blue2 from AbleNet

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Mounting the iPad2 - Universal Mounting System with

Friction Knob and iDevice Plate

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iPad2 Stand - AbleNet Table Top Suction Mount for iPad

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Advantages of iPad2 - it provides options that have not been available

before

- display attracts visual attention

- large, sensitive touch screen allows for easy access

- increases motivation and interest

- intuitive

- easy to program

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Advantages of iPad2 cont. - internal camera increases the availability of symbols

- easy to support

- wide variety of communication apps

- portable

- economical

- age appropriate

- changes the perceptions of the communication

partner(s) 54

Ensure Success - Get an evaluation from a qualified

professional

- Get assistance in developing a plan for communication screens

- Provide intervention at least initially

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February 14, 2012 11am PST/ 12pm MST/ 1pm CST/ 2pm EST

These experts will be available to answer your questions! Email parentinfo@efa.org to submit your questions today.

Jennifer Bertram, Parent Elizabeth Aquino, Parent

Cindy Cottier, Featured Expert

Please join us for LIVE Q & A!

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The National Center for Project Access of the Epilepsy Foundation

is the nation’s only national center dedicated to improving the lives of families of children and youth with epilepsy by

providing education and resources to improve quality of care.

parentinfo@efa.org www.accessforepilepsy.org 301-918-3724

www.epilepsyfoundation.org 1-800-332-1000

National Center for Project Access

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