Our Hallowe'en Assignment-Part 1

In lieu of a class on Hallowe’en, Barb gave us a very interesting assignment to complete. Part 1 included the viewing of one (or all—they are worth watching) videos regarding the use of Proloqu2Go and iPads to create active communication for children with various disabilities.

http://www.assistiveware.com/its-all-there-ruby-proloquo2go-using-new-rosie-voice

http://www.assistiveware.com/it-really-has-become-his-voice

http://www.assistiveware.com/tell-us-we-want-know

In each there was a presumption of competence.

“Assume that a child has intellectual ability, provide opportunities to be exposed to learning, assume the child wants to learn and assert him or herself in the world. To not presume competence is to assume that some individuals cannot learn, develop, or participate in the world.  Presuming competence is nothing less than a Hippocratic oath for educators. It is a framework that says, approach each child as wanting to be fully included, wanting acceptance and appreciation, wanting to learn, wanting to be heard, wanting to contribute.  By presuming competence, educators place the burden on themselves to come up with ever more creative, innovative ways for individuals to learn.  The question is no longer who can be included or who can learn, but how can we achieve inclusive education.  We begin by presuming competence.”-Douglas Bilkin at

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/singleview/news/douglas_biklen_winner_of_unesco_kuwait_prize_begin_by_presuming_competence/

I am focusing on Nick, whom we meet in the third video. Nick is a ten year old and has autism. We meet his mother and two therapists, one a speech-language pathologist and the other a gym therapist. We do not see Nick in a school setting so we do not know if Nick attends school or is home schooled. The adults who work with Nick are excited that, because Nick uses an iPad and Proloquo2Go, he is able to advocate for himself. Nick seemed to quickly recognize the power of the technology and demonstrated that he was able to finally communicate with those around him to tell them what he wanted. One example was when he insisted that he wanted pizza for supper. Experiments with other ACC devices and systems had not worked for him and until now had not really been able to develop his own voice. Mom’s excitement is very evident, as is his gym specialist who notes that pre-iPad work had not been very successful as Nick was not able to express his own needs and wants. Now, with the iPad and the app, he is able to do so. His speech pathologist stated that Nick can now tell them what he wants and that it is helping him to get where he wants to go. He is finally able to show what he is thinking and feeling.