Greetings Everyone! I would like to share with you an upcoming webinar, through PresenceLearning, entitled “Uniquely Human: A Different Way to See Autism and Create Pathways to Succes,” which will be presented by Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D. on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. The groundbreaking techniques revealed in this webinar are essential for teachers, special educators, and parents of children with Autism. So, if possible, please join a nationwide audience as one of the world’s leading authorities on Autism shares research, stories and advice based on countless experiences with families and children with Autism and answer your burning questions. Please, go to http://www.presencelearning.com for additional information regarding this webinar. Thank you for stopping by and I look foward to our many discussions and sharing of ideas!
Tag Archives: ABA Therapy
BridgingApps
Greetings everyone! I would like to share with you a website called “BridgingApps.” This website has over 1,000 apps-both Apple and Android-in its database that have been identified as helpful for a variety of special needs. I encourage you to explore the BridgingApps website (if you haven’t done so already) and use it as a shortcut to research apps for your particular situation.
You can register at http://www.bridgingapps.org. You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter. Registering is free and allows you full access to online communities, app searching and connecting with other members.
Here are some BridgingApps Favorites to get you started:
- Write My Name
- iWrite Words
- Bugs and Buttons
- My PlayHome (this is a really good one)
- 100s Board HC for iPad
- Community Sidekick
- First Then Visual Schedule
- My Pictures Talk
- SpellBoard
- Story Patch
- Abilipad
- Create a Car
- My ChoiceBoard
- Inspiration Maps
- iAdvocate
- PPOD
- iDress for Weather
- Starfall ABCs
- Injini Game Development Suite
- Panther Math Paper
I hope you find this bit of information useful! Thank you and I continue to look forward to our many discussions and sharing of ideas.
5 Ways to Use Apps for Autism
Greetings everyone! I would like to share with you information I have obtained from a webinar I attended on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The webinar was entitled, “5 Ways to Use Apps for Autism: Moving from Low Tech Visual Tools to High Tech Supports for Life Long Success.” Linda Hodgdon, Speech-language pathologist and author of “Visual Strategies for Improving Communication,” was the presenter. In this webinar, Mrs. Hodgdon focused on 5 key skill areas that apps can help preschoolers, school age and adults participate in life activities working toward achieving more independence.
Mrs. Hodgdon began by stating there is nothing wrong with using low tech visual tools, but individuals on the Autism Spectrum have more options available to them when using high tech tools such as Ipads, Iphones, Tablets, etc…She went on to share some advantages of using high tech devices such as: 1. it is more interesting to those individuals on the Autism Spectrum and 2. the devices can be mobile and more convenient for those individuals. She stated as the individual grows older, low tech devices may appear a bit “babyish” to them and the need for a more sophisticated way of communicating would become more appealing, which I agree.
As many of us are aware, most individuals on the Autism Spectrum are visual learners. Meaning, they understand what they see better than what they hear. The use of visual strategies offers great support to this population as they communicate with the world around them. Mrs. Hodgdon provide a few reasons to use visual strategies such as : 1. to give information, 2. explain social situations, 3. give choices, 4. teach routines and 5. teach new skills. All of the reasons can be accomplished using high tech devices such as Ipads, Iphones, Tablets, etc…
Mrs. Hodgdon shared 5 categories for high tech options. They are:
1. Time Management and Organization: Items that can be utilized to assist individuals are calendars, schedules and timers.
2. Get and Give Information: Apps that can be utilized are Pictello and Choiceworks. Also, using “google search” is a good way for older individuals on the Autism Spectrum to get information quickly.
3. Teach Skills or Follow Routines: Apps that can be utilized are the iMovie and The Planner Guide. Note: Research shows that video is a very effective teaching tool.
4. Support Social Situations: For teens and older individuals on the Autism Spectrum, the following are good apps to use: Conversation Builder Teen, Friend Maker and Evernote.
5. Meet Communication Needs (AAC): Apps that can be utilized are Proloquo2go, Dragon and Things. Also, a basic camera can be utilized to meet communication needs through pictures/photos.
We must keep in mind that the apps that are selected must be useful to the individual in order to have a positive outcome in regards to communication.
Mrs. Hodgdon stated there are millions of apps to search through to find exactly the one that you want, but the key is to ask yourself,”What am I looking to accomplish (with the individual)?”
“Life productivity for independence can make a huge long-term difference for individuals on the Autism Spectrum”~Linda Hodgdon
Thank you for reading the information I have provided above! Feel free to post comments! I look forward to our many discussions!
It’s Autism Awareness Month! Do You Know the Signs?
Did you know that April is Autism Awareness Month? To help raise awareness, we’re dedicating our blogs to topics in autism during the month of April. Last week, we talked about how organizations and monuments around the world “Light It Up Blue” for Autism awareness on World Autism Day, April 2. Today, we’ll talk about some of the early signs and symptoms of autism.
View original post 351 more words
“Ask an Autistic” by Amythest Schaber
Greetings Everyone! I just thought I’d share with you another video from Amythest Schaber on “What is Vocal/Verbal Stimming?” She has presented some very interesting information. As a Speech-language pathologist, I am developing a better understanding of Autism and the behaviors that are associated with it. I realize, just from watching Amythest’s video, that vocal and verbal stimming are not pointless at all. They could be valid forms of expression as well as a way to block out negative sensory input from the environment. Take a look at what Amythest Schaber has expressed regarding vocal/verbal stimming…
University of Houston-Clearlake’s Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities (Speaker Series)
The Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities(Speaker Series)-U of H-Clearlake Campus will be hosting a presentation, on April 11, 2015, entitled “Naturalistic Teaching Strategies for Home and School” by Taylor Sweatt and Ashley Neal. The presentation will be held in Lecture Hall 1100 of the Student Services Building on the UHCL campus from 10:30-12:30 p.m. All lectures are free. Please visit https://apps.uhcl.edu/ORS/CADD/Account/Login for more information and to reserve a space.
“Ask an Autistic” by Amythest Schaber
Hello everyone! I just thought I’d share with you Amythest Schaber’s reason as to why she disapproves of ABA therapy. It’s very interesting…Take a look!
Perfekt Me Speech Therapy Services, PLLC 