Assistive Devices for Autism
Filed Under (Advocacy, Communication) by Estee on 17-03-2010
While Slade is using the Dynavox in this video, I have to attest as we prepare for Adam’s new device (which will not be the Dynavox but a similar device) that this can really change your child’s life. I am so excited that we are entering this new phase of his life soon, and we have done it with the help of others who are experienced in this field.
It takes time to teach the child HOW to use the device and I have to admit that having Adam use the Qwerty board in preparation for receiving this device, it does help with the navigation. One can begin with low-tech options to prepare a child for such communication including PECS (Picture Exchange System) as well as using computers. Adam does most of his school work on a MAC computer to-date, and he has used the Alphasmart Neo to type because it is easy and lightweight. As Adam improves his reading/comprehension skills (expressive output I’m referring to as we never know the extent to what Adam knows), he answers his multiple choice questions one-hundred percent correctly. However, if Adam would be asked a comprehension question in an open-ended manner, he may not always answer correctly.
I encourage people to look at AAC and our institutions to take it VERY seriously in providing this opportunity for our non-verbal autistic children. It is one step closer to enabling their “voice.”
ESTÉE KLAR
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
Writer.Curator of Art. Founder of The Autism Acceptance Project. Mother of Adam. I like to write about our journey, musings, attitudes towards autism.
Really inspiring. As a sound engineer diagnosed with high-functioning autism, it is nice to see devices like this being used to improve peoples lives…
Awesome…
Go Slade :-)
Estee, that’s so exciting that Adam is getting a device. What is he getting? We just got Nik’s Vantage Lite (Prentke Romich Co) this week. We did a months-long trial with a loaner and saw amazing, amazing leaps and awareness of the power of communication. I truly believe this device will dramatically change our lives in a short period of time…once I re-learn how to program it, that is.
You are SO right though about the investment of time and resources it takes to not only teach someone how to use the device but to learn how to program it and how to use it to teach the actual communication skills. I think this is why so many schools (at least in the US) default to low-tech methods such as PECS. Sadly, there’s very little understanding of or accommodation for the fact that NOT all learners are visual. There’s also, still, the horrible misperception that nonverbal equates to having nothing to say; you and I both know firsthand that is not at all the case!
We are also going to use Vantage Lite. I’m using a centre here in Toronto to help us lease it. We may have to start out with another device until the Vantage Lite becomes available. This way, I could get that help programming it and learning how to help Adam with it, but so far Adam has been using it with supervision during assessments for it. I’m reluctant (as you can tell) by saying too much about the provider until this is for certain. If we don’t get it soon, we will have to purchase it for Adam as it is essential that he begin communicating like this.
How inspiring to see Slade communicate with his Mom and his surroundings!