We use a lot of great apps but occasionally come upon one that we love and really makes a difference for Junior. Apps like Proloquo2go which opened his whole world by allowing him to communicate.
We recently tried an app called Chore Pad. When I first checked it out I thought it was neat but didn't really see it as something that would work for Junior.
Chore pad allows you to place a list of chores/activities on a chart. As the child accomplishes each task they can check them off and get a star. You can set it up with a list of "prizes" for a specific amount of stars.
I decided to try placing Junior's daily activities on the chart. The things that are not favorites and he generally is not happy about. This kid HATES to have his teeth brushed and face washed and every morning it is a battle. Those things went on his chart. We ended up with a list of about 10 - 15 things. I then showed it to Junior and explained it to him. To get a star he had to do the activity without complaint.
We started using Chore Pad on Friday morning and for the first time in a very long time I got absolutely no complaint when it came time to brush his teeth and wash his face. Junior didn't whine or try to get out of the hard stuff during exercise time and didn't even cry when it was time for his cough assist. He absolutely loved having me help him check off each activity and seeing the stars add up. He now has 50 stars and gets to get an icee next time we are out(even though he only gets tiny tastes he loves icees).
The positive reinforcement for good behavior and giving Junior control of whether or not he earns the stars seems to be just the right fit. Love it.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Ipad Update 1 year later
I just did an update on Junior's regular blog about our ipad use. It has now been 1 year since he first started using it. Wow, can't believe it has been a year and at the same time it seems like it has been much longer. Now that he uses the ipad so much it is hard to believe that a year ago we were still dealing with the frustrations that come with communication issues. Junior had his eye gaze and we used boardmaker but my busy guy got very frustrated with the time that, that involved.
Here is the update I posted on his blog.
It has been a year since Junior started using his ipad so I thought it was a good time for an update.
First off, the ipad continues to allow Junior to show us what he is really capable of. My most recent surprise was when we were doing his school work and I put some new words on his ipad. Words we had never worked on before and that were more difficult then what we had been doing. What a surprise when he got them correct on the first try, all of them.
The number of symbols he now is able to use on the proloquo2go app is over 100. His overall school performance has improved because he stays much more focused when using the ipad. Things I used to have to fight to get him to do he now does willingly and enjoys because they are on his ipad He continues to be more vocal and will at times try to vocalize with his ipad. We can't wait to see what the coming year holds for Junior and his ipad.
Amazing how a piece of technology not even made to be used for the special needs community has had such an impact on not just Junior but so many other children.
some pictures from over the past few months of Junior and his ipad
Asking for help with an activity
Painting and using his ipad to ask for a new color when needed
Answering a reading comprehension question after listening to the Megamind read along
Picking the correct word during reading
Using one of our favorite apps Word Magic along with his felt board, during his reading time
Writing grandma a note(with a little help)
And of course just having some fun
His adapter cord arrived this week but after trying it we learned that you have to have the ipad 2 to do mirroring(putting what is on the ipad screen on the tv screen). Such a disappointment since we had a few apps which we had been waiting on this for. We wanted Junior to be able to have the ipad on his tray for hand over hand writing activities but still be able to see up on the tv screen what he is doing(I spoke to his home teacher though and she has some possible options for us so i am not giving up on this yet). The school district also brought out his new speakers and switch adapter. The speakers are awesome and work with all his technology items. As for the blue tooth switch interface we are still trying to get it working. Our AT person came out to try to work out the issues but no luck. RJ Cooper also very kindly tried to help us figure it out, I was very impressed since this was not even his interface yet he was doing his best to help us work out the issues(and on the weekend). I will be talking to tech support from the manufacturer tomorrow and hopefully get some answers. Junior was so excited so I hated having to tell him it doesn't work yet.
Now for some of our new favorite apps(there are several app lists over on our adaptions blog but these are some newer ones).
Stories - the Smurfs, KungFu Panda 2, Treasure Kai, Transformers Mix and Match
Educational - Math Magic(this is on our other lists but it has been updated and we like it even more now), Teach Me 1st Grade, Word Wizard(sounds out each letter as you put it on the board, then says the word, great app), Space Boards 1st grade(they also have this app for other grades, this is one we got from A4cwsn, thank you so much), Mobile Educations "builder" series(story builder, language builder, speech journal- all of these are great and ones we use regularly in Junior's school work).
Misc. - Chore pad(we just found this app through A4cwsn and really like it. for Junior I list what we will be doing that day and then check the things off as he does them)
Time Timer(a great visual timer, you can set up several timers at a time.)
Also if you are looking for great apps be sure to check out A4cwsn . Their blog is fabulous with many, many apps along with videos showing how the apps work. Perfect if you are unsure what will work for your child. The videos have saved me quite a bit of money by allowing me to see an app in action before deciding to buy it. The founder Gary James has made it his mission to help those with special needs get the apps they need to succeed. He is also on a mission to get Ipads into the hands of children with special needs. At this time he has delivered 20 ipads to some truly amazing kids. On his blog you will find videos of these special deliveries. A4cwsn is also on fb which is where I keep up with them. Click on over and check out their app videos and if you are able support their ipad mission.
Later tonight or tomorrow on this blog I will be sharing more about the Chore Board app and the Time Timer. We had looked at both and used the Time Timer some but hadn't really used the Chore Board. I will just say we are hooked and I can't wait to share about our experience with these two amazing apps.
Here is the update I posted on his blog.
It has been a year since Junior started using his ipad so I thought it was a good time for an update.
First off, the ipad continues to allow Junior to show us what he is really capable of. My most recent surprise was when we were doing his school work and I put some new words on his ipad. Words we had never worked on before and that were more difficult then what we had been doing. What a surprise when he got them correct on the first try, all of them.
The number of symbols he now is able to use on the proloquo2go app is over 100. His overall school performance has improved because he stays much more focused when using the ipad. Things I used to have to fight to get him to do he now does willingly and enjoys because they are on his ipad He continues to be more vocal and will at times try to vocalize with his ipad. We can't wait to see what the coming year holds for Junior and his ipad.
Amazing how a piece of technology not even made to be used for the special needs community has had such an impact on not just Junior but so many other children.
some pictures from over the past few months of Junior and his ipad
Asking for help with an activity
Painting and using his ipad to ask for a new color when needed
Answering a reading comprehension question after listening to the Megamind read along
Picking the correct word during reading
Using one of our favorite apps Word Magic along with his felt board, during his reading time
Writing grandma a note(with a little help)
And of course just having some fun
His adapter cord arrived this week but after trying it we learned that you have to have the ipad 2 to do mirroring(putting what is on the ipad screen on the tv screen). Such a disappointment since we had a few apps which we had been waiting on this for. We wanted Junior to be able to have the ipad on his tray for hand over hand writing activities but still be able to see up on the tv screen what he is doing(I spoke to his home teacher though and she has some possible options for us so i am not giving up on this yet). The school district also brought out his new speakers and switch adapter. The speakers are awesome and work with all his technology items. As for the blue tooth switch interface we are still trying to get it working. Our AT person came out to try to work out the issues but no luck. RJ Cooper also very kindly tried to help us figure it out, I was very impressed since this was not even his interface yet he was doing his best to help us work out the issues(and on the weekend). I will be talking to tech support from the manufacturer tomorrow and hopefully get some answers. Junior was so excited so I hated having to tell him it doesn't work yet.
Now for some of our new favorite apps(there are several app lists over on our adaptions blog but these are some newer ones).
Stories - the Smurfs, KungFu Panda 2, Treasure Kai, Transformers Mix and Match
Educational - Math Magic(this is on our other lists but it has been updated and we like it even more now), Teach Me 1st Grade, Word Wizard(sounds out each letter as you put it on the board, then says the word, great app), Space Boards 1st grade(they also have this app for other grades, this is one we got from A4cwsn, thank you so much), Mobile Educations "builder" series(story builder, language builder, speech journal- all of these are great and ones we use regularly in Junior's school work).
Misc. - Chore pad(we just found this app through A4cwsn and really like it. for Junior I list what we will be doing that day and then check the things off as he does them)
Time Timer(a great visual timer, you can set up several timers at a time.)
Also if you are looking for great apps be sure to check out A4cwsn . Their blog is fabulous with many, many apps along with videos showing how the apps work. Perfect if you are unsure what will work for your child. The videos have saved me quite a bit of money by allowing me to see an app in action before deciding to buy it. The founder Gary James has made it his mission to help those with special needs get the apps they need to succeed. He is also on a mission to get Ipads into the hands of children with special needs. At this time he has delivered 20 ipads to some truly amazing kids. On his blog you will find videos of these special deliveries. A4cwsn is also on fb which is where I keep up with them. Click on over and check out their app videos and if you are able support their ipad mission.
Later tonight or tomorrow on this blog I will be sharing more about the Chore Board app and the Time Timer. We had looked at both and used the Time Timer some but hadn't really used the Chore Board. I will just say we are hooked and I can't wait to share about our experience with these two amazing apps.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Busy, Busy
Wow I can't believe it has been over two weeks since my last post. Things have been so busy.
We have had time for some fun but Junior also had some bumpy sick days this week.
We have been busy on "camping" activities during Junior's school time. He made fish, a fishing pole, smores, and more. Many of these activities include the ipad. It is late and Junior is ready for bed so I am going to send you over to our Adaptions Blog to check out our camping ipad activities(it is the past several posts).
This last week I got a stylus for the ipad and also ordered a cord so the ipad can plug into our tv.
The school district also brought by Junior's new ipad speakers(love them) and blue tooth switch adapter(haven't yet gotten it up and running).
We are still waiting on the adapter cord but really like having the stylus. Today I helped Junior use the stylus and a notetaking app to write a letter to grandma and then email it to her. We can't wait to get the adapter so he can write on the ipad and see what he is doing up on the tv screen. It is nearly impossible for him to look down at what he is doing when the ipad is on his tray. No, Junior can't use his hands independently but hand over hand writing really helps him learn especially in the reading area. He does best with a multi-sensory approach.
Writing grandma a note
Lots more of our ipad journey to share about but it will have to wait for another day. As always feel free to click on over and visit Junior's regular blog. Follow along on this sometimes crazy, but always amazing roller coaster ride which makes up the story of our life.
We have had time for some fun but Junior also had some bumpy sick days this week.
We have been busy on "camping" activities during Junior's school time. He made fish, a fishing pole, smores, and more. Many of these activities include the ipad. It is late and Junior is ready for bed so I am going to send you over to our Adaptions Blog to check out our camping ipad activities(it is the past several posts).
This last week I got a stylus for the ipad and also ordered a cord so the ipad can plug into our tv.
The school district also brought by Junior's new ipad speakers(love them) and blue tooth switch adapter(haven't yet gotten it up and running).
We are still waiting on the adapter cord but really like having the stylus. Today I helped Junior use the stylus and a notetaking app to write a letter to grandma and then email it to her. We can't wait to get the adapter so he can write on the ipad and see what he is doing up on the tv screen. It is nearly impossible for him to look down at what he is doing when the ipad is on his tray. No, Junior can't use his hands independently but hand over hand writing really helps him learn especially in the reading area. He does best with a multi-sensory approach.
Writing grandma a note
Lots more of our ipad journey to share about but it will have to wait for another day. As always feel free to click on over and visit Junior's regular blog. Follow along on this sometimes crazy, but always amazing roller coaster ride which makes up the story of our life.
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