This is Not About Me

 Take a look into the life of Jordyn Zimmerman- a 26-year-old non-speaking autistic woman. Spend time with her, her family, and others as they recount her experiences growing up. Follow her on her journey from running away from school when she was unable to communicate to finishing high school in a year and pursuing degrees in Education to improve the education system. While this documentary follows Jordyn’s experiences, they are similar to many others across the world. This Is Not About Me shows us what happens when we judge someone based on what they can or can’t say, and what can happen when educators foster an inclusive education culture by presuming competence.

                                         

               Meet Jordyn          Explore AAC & Autism

                                               Resources

Source: This Is Not About Me from This is not about me on Vimeo.

Friday "Appy" Hour: If I Need Help

All too often we hear stories in the media of children or adults with cognitive disabilities or other needs who wander, run away from or otherwise leave a caregiving facility or environment. The concerns when this happens always center around whether the individuals are able to communicate with those offering help. For this week's Friday "Appy" Hour, I felt it was important to share a system that can provide comfort to those who have a loved one who has Autism, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, or other issues with disorientation. The If I Need Help system mitigates the risks to your loved one or students by bypassing communication barriers.


The If I Need Help system accomplishes this through several steps:

• A free online membership
• A profile for your loved one on our special needs registry 
• A confidential Emergency question and answer section that can be printed or emailed in an emergency
• A QR-code enabled ID tag that can be worn or fastened to your loved one’s clothing 

When you or your loved one is discovered lost or needing help, any finder can notice the QR code tag, scan it, and instantly have access to the information you have chosen to include in the profile, including contact information, one’s name and condition, and anything else pertinent to an emergency.

To learn more visit the If I Need Help website

https://www.ifineedhelp.org/

Light It Up Blue - Autism Acceptance Month

Wear something blue on April 2nd in support of understanding and acceptance for people with autism. Let’s light it up blue! 

Autism Awareness Month: Discounted AAC and Literacy Apps

The time of year has arrived again where many AAC and literacy apps become discounted in honor of Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month. If you're looking to purchase an AAC or literacy app don't miss your chance to download select apps at a substantial discount. It is important to note the specific sale dates for each app as they vary!! Additionally, deeper discounts are available if you are purchasing these apps in bulk through Apple's VPP (Volume Purchasing Program). 

SLP, AAC Consultant, AT Consultant, Special Educator, Lauren Enders, created the following graphics below. Please be sure to click the links to the graphic as well as a spreadsheet with links for purchasing/downloading apps.

Here's the link to a PDF of this graphic for sharing: http://bit.ly/aacappsalegraphicmarchapril18

Here's the link to the spreadsheet with sale dates and download links: http://bit.ly/aacappsalesmarchapril18

Source: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSEndersMaCccSlp/

Apps for Supporting Autism

Technology, as is often said, is a rapidly growing and changing field. The reality is that as the use of technology becomes the norm in our everyday lives, both in school and at home, parents and educators are quickly seeing how children and students with autism are benefiting from the use of these new and innovative tools. With autism comes a variety of challenges in communication, executive functioning, social skills, behavior/self-management, and learning. Providing direct access to these tools revolutionizes the way individuals with autism learn and communicate. Mobile apps have given parents and educators a myriad of approaches to reach, and teach, children who develop at a rate different than their peers, all while allowing our children and students to learn in a way that best meets their needs. 

The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) partnered with Diana Petschauer and Stacy Driscoll to carefully construct the AT Support for Autism App Matrix which provides a well-organized matrix of mobile apps and links to other resources that can help those on the autism spectrum address the challenges they face. The matrix was created in conjunction with the CTD webinar: “AT and Apps to Support Learners with Autism”. After reviewing the list, be sure to watch the webinar (below) to see some of the apps demonstrated that are featured on the list. 

Source: Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

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Supporting Evidence-Based Practice with Technology

What is EBP?

In the world of Speech and Language Pathology, evidence-based practice (EBP) has become a norm for many professionals. EBP encompasses using the best, research-proven assessments and treatments in the day-to-day client care and service delivery. As stated on the ASHA website: 

The goal of EBP is the integration of: (a) clinical expertise/expert opinion, (b) external scientific evidence, and (c) client/patient/caregiver perspectives to provide high-quality services reflecting the interests, values, needs, and choices of the individuals we serve. Conceptually, the trilateral principles forming the bases for EBP can be represented through a simple figure:

How can EBP be supported with technology?

Below is a list of iPad apps that support evidence based practice for both speech language pathology and autism spectrum disorders. The list of apps featured below, created by Speech Therapy for Autism, represents some of the apps currently available.  In the rapidly changing field of technology, the list continues to shift and expand daily. As with any tool being implemented, it is always important to keep in mind that every student is unique with their own individual needs, preferences and characteristics. Educators should take these factors into considering when selecting the apps they feel are most suitable to address their students' needs.

Motivational Monday....Autism Awareness Month

Apps for Autism

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To learn more about the mission and vision of of Autism Speaks, click here. 

As part of their collective resources, they have compiled a comprehensive list of apps for students (and adults) with Autism, however there are many apps that can be used for students of varying abilities. Apps are listed in alphabetical order and can be filtered by the app function, by device platform, by age or can be searched using keywords or phrases. Additionally, you can sort apps by clicking the "Rating" link above that column. You can rate apps by first clicking on the app name to visit the app detail page. Then, below the description of the app, click on the number of stars for your rating of the app.

Here’s a quick tour of its main functions:

1. Search for an app using the drop down menus to select what you want it to do, the device you want to use and the age of the intended user. (See screen shots at left.)

2. Read the supporting evidence behind an app’s claimed uses and benefits. Just hover your cursor over the apps’ entry in the “Supporting Research” column (below left). 

Please note: Few apps have been directly studied. What we’ve gathered are summaries of general research behind the broader claims being made about a type of app. Our intent is to give you the best, evidence-based background material to inform your choice. But this shouldn’t be construed as proof that any given app will perform as claimed. 

Anecdotal = No specific or related scientific studies for this type of app.  

Research = There are some related scientific studies, but no direct research support for this type of app or technology.

Evidence = There is solid or specific scientific evidence that this type of app or technology is helpful.

3. View an apps’ user/parent rating in the far right column.

4. Want to rate an app you’ve been using? Read comments from users? Click on an app’s name to visit its detail page. There you can access cost and user comments, as well as rate an app you’ve used by selecting one to five stars. 

5. Have an autism app you'd like to add to the list? Comments you’d like us to post? To recommend a new app for the list, email a brief description including platform, cost, intended age group, any relevant research and the download link to FSDB@AutismSpeaks.org. You can also use this email to contribute your comments for an app already in our database.

Visit the Autism Speaks Apps today! 

Source: Autism Speaks

Motivational Monday

Autism Acceptance Month - Deep Discounts with Assistiveware

To celebrate Autism Acceptance Month AssistiveWare will be offering a 50% discount on 4 of their popular AAC apps: Proloquo2Go®, Proloquo4Text, Pictello and Keeble. Gateway to Language & Learning©, the core word vocabulary available through an in-app purchase in Proloquo2Go, will also be at half price.

The discount, available worldwide on the App Store, will be in effect from April 2nd until and including April 4th.

If you buy more, you save more

The discount also applies to Apple’s Volume Purchase Program for Education. When your school or educational organization purchases 20 copies or more, you get an additional 50% off!

Spread the word

Do you know people who could benefit from these apps? Make sure you share the news about this limited-time discount!

If you have any questions about the discount please contact the AssistiveWare support team at support@assistiveware.com

* Please note: The discount percentage is based on the US App Store. Exact prices vary from country to country. Bundles will not be discounted during this promotion.

The Power of Touch for People with Autism

To print, or zoom in to enlarge the text, click on the link here.

Source: Lenovo