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Vernice

Assistive Technology For Students With Autism

According to Butcher’s Abnormal Psychology 14^th edition Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) consists of several conditions which presents at birth to early childhood that cause deficits in cognitive development. Autism is one of the disorders defined within the PDDs spectrum. Children with Autism have deficits in communication that varies from delay speech development, limited speech, or no verbal ability; they lack social development describe as “aloof”. In addition, children may have repetitive behavior such as hand movements and sensory sensitivity to noise, light, or sounds (546-549). These deficits cause individuals with Autism to struggle to communicate and navigate their environment. Assistive technology offers individuals with Autism the ability to communicate and engage their environment. Apple and Dynavoxtech have excellent devices that allow individuals with Autism to communicate. 

Apple’s Ipad has been adapted to assist individual with Autism to communicate. The Ipad is small, lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to carry around. This link offers parents advice for using the Ipad as a learning tool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozfHegFnfo4. For example, parents can adjust the setting to block access to the Internet. Applications are being created specifically for the Ipad’s users with Autism. For example, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed in 1985 now has an application for the Ipad. Another application that was created specifically for individuals with Autism is Autismate http://www.autismate.com/. Both of the applications are available at the Apple Store with many other education applications; some of the existing educational applications can be modified for individuals with Autism.

Dynavoxtech’s Masetro is a device that allows individual with Autism the ability to communicate. This company offers a range of communication devices that assist individuals with disabilities. The Masetro is small, lightweight, and compact like the Ipad; both devices are easy to carry http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/maestro/. Masetro is designed for high functioning individuals unlike the Ipad which can be used by low or high functioning individuals with Autism; this due to the variety of applications offered by the Ipad. However, Dynavoxtech offers a variety of devices for all levels of functioning. Both of these companies have devices that help individuals with Autism communicate. 

The number of children with Autism has drastically increased over the last 10 to 20 years. According to the CDC 1 in 88 children is affect by Autism. Technology is needed for these diverse learners to engage their community. The future developments in assistive technologies have no limits with so many innovative companies like Apple and Dynavoxtech. I hope to see a devices that help with their social development.

References

Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2010). Abnormal Psychology. (14th Ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

http://www.apple.com/

http://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6103a1.htm?s_cid=ss6103a1_w

http://www.dynavoxtech.com/default.aspx

http://www.pecsusa.com/

Ohio DL Schools

The state of Ohio offers several options for K-12 distance learning (DL). I reviewed five different DL websites and focused on curriculum, technology, and social opportunities for students K-12. I also reviewed the school’s history and staff. Based on the information provided on the websites I would least likely select Ohio Virtual Academy for DL. They offered limited information on their website regarding curriculum and technology. In addition, no information is listed about clubs, activities or field trips for students. I would most likely select Connection Academy for DL. Their website is user-friendly. They offered examples of their lesson plans and software applications for learning. They also listed specific activities and field trips for students. 



Vernice 

Picmonkey Pic Edit

Picmonkey.com is a fun website. This website is user-friendly. They offer lots of free tools for editing photos. This assignment was a little time consuming because of all the editing options I reviewed. Anyone can use Picmonkey.com; it's very easy.


Vernice

My Pipl Search

I was extremely surprised by the information I found about myself on Pipl.com. This site had several addresses for me; three of the four they provided were correct. I was shocked! This site also had my Facebook picture, which is supposed to be private. I rarely go on Facebook, or other social media websites. Facebook sends me a welcome back email when I enter my account. The information that I found on Pipl.com compromises my sense of security. I am glad my current address was not listed. Some of my family members were also listed on this website. I have more of an internet presence than I thought. The internet provides a wealth of information and people can use the information anyway they want; that truly scares me. 

Vernice 

The Online Disinhibition Effect

The Tech Girls worked good as a group on this assignment. We communicated with each other well. This assignment was easy to complete; however, I did not like that we were all editing the document at once. I like how this assignment turned out. 

Vernice