Greetings everyone! May is “Better Hearing and Speech Month!” Each May, BHSM provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) members in providing life-altering treatment. For 2017, our theme is “Communication: The Key to Connection.” Each week, I will be providing information regarding communication disorders as well as resources for you to keep and to share with others who may be interested in learning more! I look forward to our many discussions!
Tag Archives: Autism
Ipads 4 Autism
Greetings everyone! I would like to share with you information that came into my viewing regarding “Ipads 4 Autism.” This organization is affiliated with the Easter Seals in Houston, TX and provides Ipads for children with autism who may not otherwise be able to afford them. It also accepts donations of new or used (they refurbish if needed) Ipads or similar devices. The website is Ipads4autism.net and the contact person is Chris Benson at cbenson@ipads4autism.net.
Some of the many great pediatric therapy sites!
Greetings everyone! I attended a meeting on last week and received some very good information regarding pediatric therapy sites that I would like to share with you. The sites are listed below:
*Talk It Up Therapy: http://talkituptherapy.blogspot.com (Authored by a Speech-language pathologist, Talk It Up offers practical suggestions for increasing language development, focusing on 1-8 grades).
*MamaOT: MamaOT.com (offers kid-oriented ideas for sensory play, motor skills, toy recommendations and more. There is also a Pinterest site)!
*Therapy Fun Zone: http://www.therapyfunzone.com
*The Motor Story: http://themotorstory.org
*KidPT: http://www.kidpt.com/articles
*Dino PT blog: http://blog.dinopt.com (Here you will find creative gross motor treatment ideas, which was written by a PT).
Web Tool Aims to Help Parents Identify Signs of Autism
Greetings everyone! I would like to share with you a short article entitled, “Web Tool Aims to Help Parents Identify Signs of Autism.” The article stated the following:
“A new free resource aims to help families and professionals identify the early signs of autism spectrum disorder in very young children. “About Autism in Toddlers” (www.autismnavigator.com), a Web-based tool, features videos on core features of autism, challenges to early identification, how to recognize unusual behaviors and other information.
The tool, part of Autism Navigator, includes side-by-side video comparisons of two similar-age toddlers-one diagnosed with autism, one typically developing-to illustrate how they behave differently in the same play situation.
Autism Navigator is a collection of tools and courses that integrate current research into an interactive Web platform with extensive video footage to illustrate effective evidence-based practice. Created by faculty and staff in the Autism Institute at the Florida State University College of Medicine, it also offers professional development courses for early intervention providers and primary care providers.”
*Information was derived from a short article posted in THE ASHA LEADER*
Microsoft to Recruit Employees with Autism
Greetings everyone! I want to share with you an interesting article I read entitled, “Microsoft to Recruit Employees With Autism.”
“Microsoft is planning a pilot program to actively hire people with autism spectrum disorder, the second techology company to launch a recruitment effort that specifically targets this population.
The company says plans are underway to hire people with autism for full-time positions at its Redmond, Washington, headquarters.
Microsoft said it will work with Specialisterne, a nonprofit that focuses on helping people with the developmental disorder apply their talents to work in the technology field, to facilitate the hiring effort. The same company worked with SAP, a Germany-based software giant, to hire people on the spectrum in the United States and abroad.
Microsoft expects its program to include about 10 people with autism. “Microsoft is stronger when we expand opportunity and we have a diverse workforce that represents our customers,” wrote Mary Ellen Smith, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of worldwide operations, in a blog post. “People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft,” she writes. “Each individual is different, some have amazing ability to retain information, think at a level of detail and depth or excel in math or code.”
Smith, who has a 19-year-old son with autism, said that though a new pilot program is focused on autism, Microsoft is “passionate about hiring individuals of all disabilities.”
*Information was derived from an article posted in THE ASHA LEADER*
Young Girl’s “meltdown” Caused her to be “kicked off” Plane, along with her mother, because Pilot felt “uncomfortable”
Greetings everyone! I would like to share with you a disturbing video I ran across regarding a 13-year old girl, with Autism, and her mother who were basically kicked off a United Airlines’ flight due to the pilot feeling “uncomfortable” because the young girl had a “meltdown.” I just think if these airlines and others were educated and trained in Autism Spectrum Disorders, this wouldn’t occur. Autism Awareness shouldn’t be limited to one month out of the year. Education should be consistent and ongoing! The more we know about Autism, the better we are in understanding how it affects those who are on the Spectrum. Take a look at this embarrassing moment for the young girl and her mother.
Uniquely Human: A Different Way to See Autism and Create Pathways to Success
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!
Hamaguchi Apps Used to Develop Communication Skills
Greetings everyone! I would like to share with you more fun and engaging apps for children. The Hamaguchi Apps were designed and created by Patti Hamaguchi, a Speech-language pathologist. The Hamaguchi Apps use cutting edge technology to motivate and inspire children to develop their communication skills by playing games that focus on speech, language and auditory development. They are designed to be used either by a professional as part of a therapy program or at home, on the road or anywhere your child wants to play! You can find additional information at http://www.hamaguchiapps.com. Also, you can download games on the App Store and watch clippings on YouTube. Thank you for reading! I look forward to our many discussions and sharing of ideas!
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!
Perfekt Me Speech Therapy Services, PLLC 