Commentary on the 60 Minutes Report

There has been some dialogue and commentary about the report that 60 minutes did on the use of the iPad with people with autism. One of the issues include using insensitive or inappropriate language when describing the people affected with autism and their symptoms. The other prevailing theme seems to be the lack of recognition of other devices, particularly touch tablet technology designed for special needs, that preceded and continue to be used. And lastly, one of the most common sticking points seems to be that this is a tool - and should not be seen as something more. Very valid points to be made and I am sharing three blogposts for our readers to check out.

A speech pathologist blogs at Slowdog.com about the iPad report - check to read here.

An Assistive Technology Specialist M. Ed gives her take on the report here.

Some remarks from a mother can be found here.

One thing is certain - it brought some interest to those with special needs and the use of assistive technology.

Apps that Target Articulation

The following is a list of apps that work on articulation.
Make note that prices are accurate for the date of this post

/r/ Intensive SLP	450 /r/ words including prevocalic /r/, /r/ clusters, /rl/, /lr/, /ar/, /er/, /or/, etc. practice at word or phrase level	iTunes Link	Video	19.99
Articulate It!	Contains over 1 thousand images in all sounds of the English language with audio for every word. Built in voice recording allows the children to compare their productions with the audio recording.	iTunes Link	Video	38.99
Articulation Station	Awaiting a fall release of this app - a full articulation program that has everything you would need to teach every sound and to also create a thorough way to track data and scores that would be easy to navigate and clear to understand.	Website Link		TBD
ArtikPix	21 decks with 40 cards each (113 cards in r deck, 913 total cards) for the following sounds: th, f, v, ch, sh, k, g, s, z, l, r, s-blends, r-blends, l-blends, p, b, m, n, t, d, j. The decks are combined, selected for sound group (e.g., beginning th, er), then practiced in full-featured flashcard, sentences and matching activities.	iTunes Link Free Trial Link	Video	29.99
Match2Say	Matching game which allows students to play a matching game with target speech sounds. 1500 images	iTunes Link	Video	19.99
Pocket SLP (Articulation)	Uses. flashcards targeting both the word and sentence levels . 29 phoneme selections. Real time scoring occurs as the Correct, Incorrect, or Approximate buttons are selected	iTunes Link	Video	29.99
Smart Oral Motor	Provides auditory and visual cues for practicing several oral motor exercises such as:-Puckering lips, -Making an “o” with the mouth, -Sending a kiss, -Moving tongue to sides, -Puffing cheeks, -Touching cheeks using the tongue, -Moving the tongue up and down	iTunes Link	Video	4.99 ON SALE
Smarty Speech	Uses flashcards – over 936 words in phenomes, 2700 images in total. Can sort by phoneme, mode of articulation, or phonological process.	iTunes Link	Video	19.99
Sunny Articulation Phonology Test	Clinical tool for screening, identification, diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of articulation skills in English	iTunes Link	Video	49.99
The R App	Begin using the stimulus cards that allow R practice at the beginning, middle, and end of words. Once your child is making progress with the R words, then parents can choose to include the words within sentences. Over 600 images	iTunes Link		7.99

App Sale: WH Questions at School Fun Deck $2.99

SAVE 50% on Super Duper’s WH Questions at School Fun Deck App. Sale Ends 10-30-11

Available for Android and iPad/iPod
A social skills app that has 56 illustrated picture cards.
Can track correct and incorrect responses for up to five players

To find out more, go to their website or see the video below.
Let us know what you think!

Video


Check it out at iTunes!

Toronto researcher and her research on the use of tablet devices by non-verbal children w/ASD

University of Toronto researcher Rhonda McEwen presented a case study on tablet technology and autism at a half-day conference this past December 3, 2010. The conference's themes was to demonstrate that: "Tablets are changing the way we live, work and play."

Dr. McEwen's research actually put iPods and iPads into classrooms in her local Toronto community with students with autism.

To see her presentation, see below:

Rogers TabLife TO video: Tablets and Autism Case Study from Rogers Buzz on Vimeo.

CBS 60 Minutes to Air Special on iPad Use and Autism

CBS' 60 Minutes will be airing a segment on iPad Use and Autism. Lesley Stahl will report this Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

An excerpt of video of this coverage can be seen below:
Watch the Video Now

iOS 5 and the updated Accesibility features

For those who have updated their iOS to version 5 - you may be aware of the updated features of the new iOS. Some of these features could provide a tremendous benefit to those with special needs.

There is a great post by Luis Perez's blog (subtitled insights on Inclusive Learning Technology from a blind techie) that we recommend you check out!

Click the link below to be directed to Mr. Perez's post.

http://luisperezonline.com/2011/10/19/overview-of-new-accessibility-features-in-ios-5/

Free iPad 101 presentation this evening at Marcellus Free Library

October 13th, 2011 7:00 PM

Marcellus Free Library
32 Maple Street
Marcellus, NY 13108

Contact Carol Johnson
Phone: (315) 673-3221
http://www.library.marcellusny.com