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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
Assistive technology or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can be extremely useful for individuals who have autism. According to Donahue, a speech-language pathologist, in the Berkley School District (2011),
" It has the potential to increase joint attention and communicative intent in non-verbal individuals, opportunities to participate in social interactions that previously would have been unavailable, and increases independence and facilitates the production of first words in some individuals (Donahue, M., powerpoint, Communication and Language Issues, Oakland University). Some individuals with ASD may be non-verbal or have limited expressive language. When providing an individual who has ASD with an assistive technology device it is important to consider if the individual will gain new vocabulary/understanding of the world when using a device. According to Mirenda (2003)," One important outcome question is, “Is the student learning new vocabulary words at a rate that is likely to lead to functional communication within a reasonable amount of time?" (p.209). Some assistive technology devices include: DynaVoxes (www.dynavoxtech.com), iPhones, or iPads. In general, the iPad and iPhone are extremely cost effective compared to other electronic devices. Overall, assistive technology is beneficial for individuals with ASD who have limited expressive language or who are non-verbal because it gives them a way to communicate with others.
* (Miranda, 2003,Toward Functional Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Students With Autism: Manual Signs, Graphic Symbols, and Voice Output, Language Speech and Hearing in the Schools, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
Below is a list of iPad Applications:
A). iPad Apps to Download to a New iPad for Elemenatary Students with ASD
** To find the following Apps, go to itunes and type in the bolded name below:
1. i Write words - $2.99 connect the dots to form letters
2. FirstThen - 123 social story; create your own
3. Stories2Learn – create your own social story with pictures you take
4. ABCkeyboard – free- great way to learn keys on keyboard by matching letters
5. First Words Deluxe – $4.99 -match letters to spell words
6. sight words (words 1-100) – $4.99 copy / draw words shown
7. iDress – pick clothes appropriate for the weather
8. Learning with puzzles – can create a puzzle using your own pictures
9. BOB books – $3.99 -build words in story by matching letters in order
10. Super Why – $3.99 -helps with reading
(Source: Robert Forunier, OT, Retrieved from: Language and Communication Issues, Oakland University )
B). Assistive Tech- Communication Apps for iPad
1). iconverse very basic comm. device 6 buttons 9.99
2). My Talk Mobile Augmentative Communication
Pretty basic
39.99
3). Proloquo2go Vocab of over 7000 items 189.99
4). Communicate creates pictures, flashcards,
storyboards, and visual schedules
Includes 100+ pics but you can add your own
19.99 iPod
29.99 iPad
(Davis, J., 2011, Apps for use in Speech Language Pathology, Retrieved from: Language and Communication Issues, Oakland University )
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
Assistive technology or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can be extremely useful for individuals who have autism. According to Donahue, a speech-language pathologist, in the Berkley School District (2011),
" It has the potential to increase joint attention and communicative intent in non-verbal individuals, opportunities to participate in social interactions that previously would have been unavailable, and increases independence and facilitates the production of first words in some individuals (Donahue, M., powerpoint, Communication and Language Issues, Oakland University). Some individuals with ASD may be non-verbal or have limited expressive language. When providing an individual who has ASD with an assistive technology device it is important to consider if the individual will gain new vocabulary/understanding of the world when using a device. According to Mirenda (2003)," One important outcome question is, “Is the student learning new vocabulary words at a rate that is likely to lead to functional communication within a reasonable amount of time?" (p.209). Some assistive technology devices include: DynaVoxes (www.dynavoxtech.com), iPhones, or iPads. In general, the iPad and iPhone are extremely cost effective compared to other electronic devices. Overall, assistive technology is beneficial for individuals with ASD who have limited expressive language or who are non-verbal because it gives them a way to communicate with others.
* (Miranda, 2003,Toward Functional Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Students With Autism: Manual Signs, Graphic Symbols, and Voice Output, Language Speech and Hearing in the Schools, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
Below is a list of iPad Applications:
A). iPad Apps to Download to a New iPad for Elemenatary Students with ASD
** To find the following Apps, go to itunes and type in the bolded name below:
1. i Write words - $2.99 connect the dots to form letters
2. FirstThen - 123 social story; create your own
3. Stories2Learn – create your own social story with pictures you take
4. ABCkeyboard – free- great way to learn keys on keyboard by matching letters
5. First Words Deluxe – $4.99 -match letters to spell words
6. sight words (words 1-100) – $4.99 copy / draw words shown
7. iDress – pick clothes appropriate for the weather
8. Learning with puzzles – can create a puzzle using your own pictures
9. BOB books – $3.99 -build words in story by matching letters in order
10. Super Why – $3.99 -helps with reading
(Source: Robert Forunier, OT, Retrieved from: Language and Communication Issues, Oakland University )
B). Assistive Tech- Communication Apps for iPad
1). iconverse very basic comm. device 6 buttons 9.99
2). My Talk Mobile Augmentative Communication
Pretty basic
39.99
3). Proloquo2go Vocab of over 7000 items 189.99
4). Communicate creates pictures, flashcards,
storyboards, and visual schedules
Includes 100+ pics but you can add your own
19.99 iPod
29.99 iPad
(Davis, J., 2011, Apps for use in Speech Language Pathology, Retrieved from: Language and Communication Issues, Oakland University )