Re: Re: Could the iPad be an effective learning tool fo...

[Guest guest]

My so is 5 with Autism and more he has the Ipad and we love it.

Rita

In a message dated 8/14/2010 3:37:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

mykitkate@... writes:

Wow what a great message! Thank you Barbara I didn't know about all these

other programs for the iPad and to know they are recommended by an SLP! Kate

>

> > -

> > About the iPad and non-speaking kids......is there an actual way that

the iPad helps with communication as with an augmentative device? Do they

have an actual program for iPad that communicated for the person?

> >

> > Asking for a friend whose 16 year old can't communicate verbally- and

they've never tried any devices and they've never taught him sign language

either. Grrrrr. The child HAS to be able to " talk " with others outside

their home- and maybe if the iPad actually has a program to help with this, I

could convince her to get one for him, because his dad likes the computer

" stuff "

> >

> > Bek

> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

> >

> > [ ] Re: Could the iPad be an effective

learning tool for children with autism?

> >

> > Oh I agree Bek to be very careful with these electronics -not just due

to sleep but they are very addictive and as parents it's so important to

set strong limits or these kids can be sucked in as if they were unable to

walk or move for hours at a time. It's the electronic-age zombie kid!!

> >

> > But....I can tell you that if done right -there is no doubt that in my

opinion for reasons even outside of education to please consider all of

the electronics for your verbal disabled child. As I just stated these kids

have become electronic-age zombies...and that's not just the speech impaired

or autistic ones -but " normal " ones too. The new social " playing " is

online. Tanner's ability to speak so well on the phone I credit to playing Xbox

Live. As you know most speech impaired individuals have issues when put on

the spot where they 'have' to talk and break down -and that was Tanner too

-prior to Live. I know some probably think how horrible it is that I let my

boys play Live...but you get to control who the friends are -and in my

boy's case when it started it was just neighbors and all friends from school,

cousins- etc. But it's been a few years now and both my boys have friends

from not just the US, but other countries as well- and over the y ears some

have commented

> > on how Tanner speaks when he " messed up " his speech. It's no longer a

big deal to Tanner if he " messes up " I've heard him say on Live " I have a

speech problem called apraxia so sometimes my speech messes up " and then

that's it. What's awesome - he's been embraced by these friends -both known

and unknown -and his confidence in speaking on the phone, on Live- it's

through the roof. And even prior to all the fine tuning up to above and beyond

normal from nutriiveda, these electronic devices provided a way for my son to

be one of the boys -to excel even in an activity that is accepted as part

of play today.

> >

> > In regards to augmentative devices- if needed by a child who isn't

able to verbally communicate it's not even a thought -it's a necessity. In my

opinion the iPad or similar device is just so much cooler than carrying

around a typical augmentative device, which isn't " normal " and which costs

thousands of dollars. My goal has always been that if I can't get my kids up

to the norm -to at least always have them blend in as much as possible into

the norm. I always prayed for them to reach fullest potential- that we as

parents did all we could to help them reach that -but never dreamed I'd be

sitting here a decade later with 2 boys who are now in many areas surging

beyond my wildest dreams.

> >

> > Well I'm off (seriously) to and Noble because Tanner wants to

buy a bunch more books. I know we can just go to the library and going ahead

as quickly as he's reading these books that is what we are going to

do...but right now I feel like someone has to pinch me that my 14 year old is

requesting to go to and Noble because he just finished the last 4 books

I bought him a few weeks ago! Yes really -and all since he's been on

nutriiveda which was first reported by his head of school and why I added it

here _http://pursuitofresearch.org/pursuit.html_

(http://pursuitofresearch.org/pursuit.html) I don't know how good nutrition

makes such a profound 180

dramatic difference (I can't think of another way to explain from not wanting

to read to not being able to read fast enough)

> >

> > But back to the point as I went off that a bit...if you can find

something to help your child fit in socially, and help with academics and

therapy needs too -it may be worth giving up that bit of sleep. You have to

look

at the pros and cons and come to the decision that is best for your

family...I'm just sharing that " gameboy, wii, Xbox, computers, Nintendo DS, tv,

movies/videos " yes we have them all!!

> >

> > But we don't have an iPad....yet.

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

Just for the record, I'm not saying that the kids won't like the iPad and that

they won't have fun with all the electronic handheld devices- what I'm saying is

that they can (and do) cause damage in other areas as well, and to use caution

with them.

There is literature/studies out there that show us how all of those things can

have negative effects on ALL kids, not just neurologically impaired kids- so

it's wise to use them sparingly.

Hate to sound like a kill joy- I really do, but even though there are many

positives, you can't dismiss the negatives, and using them in small time amounts

makes sense but sparingly is the key

Bek

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[ ] Re: Could the iPad be an effective

learning tool for children with autism?

> >

> > Oh I agree Bek to be very careful with these electronics -not just due

to sleep but they are very addictive and as parents it's so important to

set strong limits or these kids can be sucked in as if they were unable to

walk or move for hours at a time. It's the electronic-age zombie kid!!

> >

> > But....I can tell you that if done right -there is no doubt that in my

opinion for reasons even outside of education to please consider all of

the electronics for your verbal disabled child. As I just stated these kids

have become electronic-age zombies...and that's not just the speech impaired

or autistic ones -but " normal " ones too. The new social " playing " is

online. Tanner's ability to speak so well on the phone I credit to playing Xbox

Live. As you know most speech impaired individuals have issues when put on

the spot where they 'have' to talk and break down -and that was Tanner too

-prior to Live. I know some probably think how horrible it is that I let my

boys play Live...but you get to control who the friends are -and in my

boy's case when it started it was just neighbors and all friends from school,

cousins- etc. But it's been a few years now and both my boys have friends

from not just the US, but other countries as well- and over the y ears some

have commented

> > on how Tanner speaks when he " messed up " his speech. It's no longer a

big deal to Tanner if he " messes up " I've heard him say on Live " I have a

speech problem called apraxia so sometimes my speech messes up " and then

that's it. What's awesome - he's been embraced by these friends -both known

and unknown -and his confidence in speaking on the phone, on Live- it's

through the roof. And even prior to all the fine tuning up to above and beyond

normal from nutriiveda, these electronic devices provided a way for my son to

be one of the boys -to excel even in an activity that is accepted as part

of play today.

> >

> > In regards to augmentative devices- if needed by a child who isn't

able to verbally communicate it's not even a thought -it's a necessity. In my

opinion the iPad or similar device is just so much cooler than carrying

around a typical augmentative device, which isn't " normal " and which costs

thousands of dollars. My goal has always been that if I can't get my kids up

to the norm -to at least always have them blend in as much as possible into

the norm. I always prayed for them to reach fullest potential- that we as

parents did all we could to help them reach that -but never dreamed I'd be

sitting here a decade later with 2 boys who are now in many areas surging

beyond my wildest dreams.

> >

> > Well I'm off (seriously) to and Noble because Tanner wants to

buy a bunch more books. I know we can just go to the library and going ahead

as quickly as he's reading these books that is what we are going to

do...but right now I feel like someone has to pinch me that my 14 year old is

requesting to go to and Noble because he just finished the last 4 books

I bought him a few weeks ago! Yes really -and all since he's been on

nutriiveda which was first reported by his head of school and why I added it

here_http://pursuitofresearch.org/pursuit.html_

(http://pursuitofresearch.org/pursuit.html) I don't know how good nutrition

makes such a profound 180

dramatic difference (I can't think of another way to explain from not wanting

to read to not being able to read fast enough)

> >

> > But back to the point as I went off that a bit...if you can find

something to help your child fit in socially, and help with academics and

therapy needs too -it may be worth giving up that bit of sleep. You have to

look

at the pros and cons and come to the decision that is best for your

family...I'm just sharing that " gameboy, wii, Xbox, computers, Nintendo DS, tv,

movies/videos " yes we have them all!!

> >

> > But we don't have an iPad....yet.

> >

> > =====

> >