Our Family Blog: The IPad: a year later

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The IPad: a year later

    This has been a part of our lives for a year and a day. We use it every single day. Not just for games or for videos. We use it to help Sharon get her through her day. Sharon's schedule is on the IPad. She wakes up in the morning to a schedule. And she has a schedule during therapy sessions. Having a schedule helps Sharon know what is coming next.
    People think IPad nice toy. In the world of autism we very much use it as a tool of communication. We communicate what we need Sharon to do. Sometimes she gets stuck and we have to break down a task even. It is absolutely wonderful, lifesaving to have the IPad to do that. A program called proloquo2go is what we use for her scheduling. An expensive program. And every bit worth the money. And as you know from past posts that money was lovingly donated.
   I can remember doing the fundraiser. Working hard to get what now is an irreplaceable tool for Sharon. I had woken up a day after my birthday. And it said my fundraiser was at a 100%. I was in tears with the hope of what this thing could do. And in gratitude for the wonderful donations that made it happen. Especially the last donation that was very generous indeed.
    So the things that Sharon has been able to learn from the IPad. We have been able to get her to do tasks readily. We have been able to trace and write letters from programs on the IPad. She was more receptive to taking turns on the IPad them we moved on to board games and other things from there. We were able to get her to transition easier with stories made on the IPad. Oh, and the portable timer on the IPad is my best friend and the therapists' too. The educational games on the IPad help keep her calm in waiting times like doctor offices. Also using it in the store so she doesn't what to go up to every single numbered sign. She is better at making choices from choice makers on the IPad. Even though we use a lot of different tools to help Sharon. The IPad is one of her main ones.
    And I again want to thank the people who were involved in getting this equipment. Your money was well spend. And is being put to use. I also am able to educate her therapists' on the IPad also the social worker. It is important to know that certain things that my not be needed for the typical child. Something that they could very well live without. Could be highly crucial to someone on the spectrum. I am so very thankful for the IPad.

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Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits. The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, aiming to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences. Through online platforms, more and more autistic people were able to connect and form a self-advocacy movement. At the same time, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term neurodiversity to promote equality and inclusion of "neurological minorities." While it is primarily a social justice movement, neurodiversity research and education is increasingly important in how clinicians view and address certain disabilities and neurological conditions.