Re: Re: Christmas was awesome!

[Guest guest]

I'm glad Shane was able to get a ipad. my son Darell is 14 a expert AT

evaluation recommended a ipad with proloquo2go program . Along with training for

all care providers and school staff that work with him. Of course I will have to

fight for it anyway. The school brought one but the speech therapist keeps it

and he can use it 2 times a week or 3 depending on her schedule for 30 minutes.

Please pray he is able to get one. He is not understood well even by us that

love him

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To:

Sent: Wed, December 29, 2010 8:28:44 PM

Subject: Re: Christmas was awesome!

Ah Shane, how wonderful! Beautiful memories to savor. I believe the ipad will

unlock so much for your child & am so happy for you all!

Kris

>

> Had the extended family down this year, and they got to see 's

> throwing arm in action as couch pillows and the new red firetruck found their

> place in the Christmas tree. I think they understand a LITTLE better, our

> situation. Overall, our boy, who is almost 11, had the best Christmas ever.

> Enough to make me rejoice with a few tears.

>

> We split up the gift opening between christmas eve and throughout the day

> for him. 9 presents total. We have always done this to keep him from getting

> overstimulated, but he NEVER enjoys unwrapping. He " got it " this year. He

> unwrapped his presents with the same joy a 3 or 4 year old child would. And

he

>

> insisted on NOT having any help, pushing away well-meaning sisters who wanted

>to

>

> help with stubborn tape or paper.

>

>

> The " big surprise " was the iPad, which was an even bigger hit than I

> expected. He has let go of it long enough to recharge the batteries.

Favorite

>

> apps: iTunes, Photos, Vocal Zoo, Larry the Talking Bird, Five Little Monkeys,

> and Elmo's Monster Maker. My winter project is to install assistive

technology

>

> apps for him. I did not realize how much this device would make him work on

>his

>

> fine motor skills. It's his single most favorite application. He gets really

> frustrated trying to " flick " the pictures in the photo album, but he want's to

> see them so bad, that he is willing to try. The pad won't recognize an open

> hand swiping across the screen. Nor an open hand with multiple fingers

>touching

>

> it. It must be one pointer finger sweeping right to left to get the reward of

>a

>

> new picture. It's a real pleasure to watch your child finally try and work

> through something on their own without you hovering over them. Seeing him

> problem solve was the greatest gift I got this Christmas.

>

> Shane Avery

> father of , almost 11

>

>