RE: iPad - dreams VS reality

April 2, 2011

Hi all,

I've been meaning to chime in about our iPad adventures. I got one 2 months ago

and I love it for me (and I am not a techie person or video game person at all).

Originally our idea was to get the proloquo2go or TaptoTalk app for Darwyn and

use it as his main communication tool. BUT as with most plans....

I realized that his PECs binder is big and awkward but works well and can take a

beating and more importantly with PECs he has to take the picture strip with his

sentence TO a person and request what he wants - he has to engage with another

person. Also he knows PECs, his favourite interventionist is trained with PECs

and his school invested in training his aide and a few others (that's a longer

story of successful parent advocacy). Also one day the iPAD didn't turn on

(which made me realize an electricity dependent communication tool would have

its drawbacks) and I've decided it might one day be his communication device,

but not before he learns not to throw and not until the AAC apps come with

training manuals and people who know how to teach him how to use it. (And I'm

guessing in a few years there will be so many more options)

So the revelation for me is that the iPAD is a huge motivator for Darwyn. If he

uses his PECs (I made an iPAD picture with a cutout from a flyer and clear

packing tape) to ask for the iPAD, I tell him that first he has to do X and then

iPAD and he does it - with enthusiasm and speed! And then he gets 20 minutes or

so with me holding the iPAD and helping guide him thru some more (and some less)

educational apps. To get the iPAD, He has eaten food he normally won't eat, gone

to the toilet (honestly I think he made himself poo so he could get the iPAD),

he has stopped throwing and helped clean up, and my favourite was watching him

lean on my dad (normally my dad can't quite figure out how to interact with Dar)

while dar's sister played with the iPAD with him. It has given us new ways to

motivate him and also keep him busy when we are too tired to move. And a bonus

is his sister likes to use it with him. Its cool!

I find the iPAD is bigger than the iTouch which was too small for Darwyn's

not-so-fine fine motor skills and the screen is so intuitive that Darwyn quickly

figured out how he can make stuff happen.

If you are buying one now, the iPad2 just came out and has a camera which is

great if you want to take basic pictures of stuff and you are kindof inept like

me with downloading from your laptop, but if you can get a cheap 1st model from

someone upgrading you could save a few hundred dollars and I heard an ipad pro

say the #2 is not a huge improvement. But if I was buying today I'd get it just

for the camera options.

And lastly, it is fun, but your child can have a full enriching life without it.

It is NOT a magic bullet to create communication or skills, but it is fun and

has some neat apps that are educational and it just seems to appeal to kids.

So that's a lot - I'll write separately later with Darwyn's favourite apps.

, Mom to (age 10 NT) and Darwyn ( age 6 DS ASD and a few heart

surgeries), Canada

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Re: iPad

I just bought an ipad. I had to order it and it's not here yet. Is it

easy to get it going?

In a message dated 4/2/2011 1:23:49 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

tabuhli@... writes:

Thanks for sharing Lori....So you would recommend the ipad ?? I don't

know the diff between ipad and i touch...I guess I had better start googling

around....

Annie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

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of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by

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April 2, 2011

I would love to hear about the favorite apps.

In a message dated 4/2/2011 4:17:12 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

cathynash@... writes:

Hi all,

I've been meaning to chime in about our iPad adventures. I got one 2

months ago and I love it for me (and I am not a techie person or video game

person at all). Originally our idea was to get the proloquo2go or TaptoTalk

app for Darwyn and use it as his main communication tool. BUT as with most

plans....

I realized that his PECs binder is big and awkward but works well and can

take a beating and more importantly with PECs he has to take the picture

strip with his sentence TO a person and request what he wants - he has to

engage with another person. Also he knows PECs, his favourite interventionist

is trained with PECs and his school invested in training his aide and a few

others (that's a longer story of successful parent advocacy). Also one day

the iPAD didn't turn on (which made me realize an electricity dependent

communication tool would have its drawbacks) and I've decided it might one

day be his communication device, but not before he learns not to throw and

not until the AAC apps come with training manuals and people who know how to

teach him how to use it. (And I'm guessing in a few years there will be so

many more options)

So the revelation for me is that the iPAD is a huge motivator for Darwyn.

If he uses his PECs (I made an iPAD picture with a cutout from a flyer and

clear packing tape) to ask for the iPAD, I tell him that first he has to do

X and then iPAD and he does it - with enthusiasm and speed! And then he

gets 20 minutes or so with me holding the iPAD and helping guide him thru

some more (and some less) educational apps. To get the iPAD, He has eaten

food he normally won't eat, gone to the toilet (honestly I think he made

himself poo so he could get the iPAD), he has stopped throwing and helped clean

up, and my favourite was watching him lean on my dad (normally my dad can't

quite figure out how to interact with Dar) while dar's sister played with

the iPAD with him. It has given us new ways to motivate him and also keep

him busy when we are too tired to move. And a bonus is his sister likes to

use it with him. Its cool!

I find the iPAD is bigger than the iTouch which was too small for Darwyn's

not-so-fine fine motor skills and the screen is so intuitive that Darwyn

quickly figured out how he can make stuff happen.

If you are buying one now, the iPad2 just came out and has a camera which

is great if you want to take basic pictures of stuff and you are kindof

inept like me with downloading from your laptop, but if you can get a cheap

1st model from someone upgrading you could save a few hundred dollars and I

heard an ipad pro say the #2 is not a huge improvement. But if I was buying

today I'd get it just for the camera options.

And lastly, it is fun, but your child can have a full enriching life

without it. It is NOT a magic bullet to create communication or skills, but it

is fun and has some neat apps that are educational and it just seems to

appeal to kids.

So that's a lot - I'll write separately later with Darwyn's favourite

apps.

, Mom to (age 10 NT) and Darwyn ( age 6 DS ASD and a few heart

surgeries), Canada

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Re: iPad

I just bought an ipad. I had to order it and it's not here yet. Is it

easy to get it going?

In a message dated 4/2/2011 1:23:49 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

tabuhli@... writes:

Thanks for sharing Lori....So you would recommend the ipad ?? I don't

know the diff between ipad and i touch...I guess I had better start

googling

around....

Annie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------

Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos

of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by

including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the

archives

for our list. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

--------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------

Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos

of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by

including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the archives

for our list. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

--------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------

Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos

of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by

including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the archives

for our list. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

--------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

April 2, 2011

I totally agree with this. Tony liked the iTouch so I was surprised by how

much better is doing with the iPad. I spent over an hour with Tony using

the educational apps and while I was right there guiding him - thus he

wasn't alone in this pursuit, I liked not having to work so hard. I felt

like I was teaching him but with a great tool rather than flash cards -

which are great but don't flicker multi-colored cartoons at you.

If the iPad was indestructible, it would be great for communication but we

can't begin to afford to let Tony carry it around on his own.

I had wanted a first generation just so I could have one but not break the

bank, but my DH bought a 2nd generation because of the camera. It is

another fun, interactive tool.

Lori

Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of cathynash@...

Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 5:17 PM

To:

Subject: Re: iPad - dreams VS reality

Hi all,

I've been meaning to chime in about our iPad adventures. I got one 2 months

ago and I love it for me (and I am not a techie person or video game person

at all). Originally our idea was to get the proloquo2go or TaptoTalk app for

Darwyn and use it as his main communication tool. BUT as with most plans....

I realized that his PECs binder is big and awkward but works well and can

take a beating and more importantly with PECs he has to take the picture

strip with his sentence TO a person and request what he wants - he has to

engage with another person. Also he knows PECs, his favourite

interventionist is trained with PECs and his school invested in training his

aide and a few others (that's a longer story of successful parent advocacy).

Also one day the iPAD didn't turn on (which made me realize an electricity

dependent communication tool would have its drawbacks) and I've decided it

might one day be his communication device, but not before he learns not to

throw and not until the AAC apps come with training manuals and people who

know how to teach him how to use it. (And I'm guessing in a few years there

will be so many more options)

So the revelation for me is that the iPAD is a huge motivator for Darwyn. If

he uses his PECs (I made an iPAD picture with a cutout from a flyer and

clear packing tape) to ask for the iPAD, I tell him that first he has to do

X and then iPAD and he does it - with enthusiasm and speed! And then he gets

20 minutes or so with me holding the iPAD and helping guide him thru some

more (and some less) educational apps. To get the iPAD, He has eaten food he

normally won't eat, gone to the toilet (honestly I think he made himself poo

so he could get the iPAD), he has stopped throwing and helped clean up, and

my favourite was watching him lean on my dad (normally my dad can't quite

figure out how to interact with Dar) while dar's sister played with the iPAD

with him. It has given us new ways to motivate him and also keep him busy

when we are too tired to move. And a bonus is his sister likes to use it

with him. Its cool!

I find the iPAD is bigger than the iTouch which was too small for Darwyn's

not-so-fine fine motor skills and the screen is so intuitive that Darwyn

quickly figured out how he can make stuff happen.

If you are buying one now, the iPad2 just came out and has a camera which is

great if you want to take basic pictures of stuff and you are kindof inept

like me with downloading from your laptop, but if you can get a cheap 1st

model from someone upgrading you could save a few hundred dollars and I

heard an ipad pro say the #2 is not a huge improvement. But if I was buying

today I'd get it just for the camera options.

And lastly, it is fun, but your child can have a full enriching life without

it. It is NOT a magic bullet to create communication or skills, but it is

fun and has some neat apps that are educational and it just seems to appeal

to kids.

So that's a lot - I'll write separately later with Darwyn's favourite apps.

, Mom to (age 10 NT) and Darwyn ( age 6 DS ASD and a few heart

surgeries), Canada

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Re: iPad

I just bought an ipad. I had to order it and it's not here yet. Is it

easy to get it going?

In a message dated 4/2/2011 1:23:49 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

tabuhli@... <mailto:tabuhli%40live.com> writes:

Thanks for sharing Lori....So you would recommend the ipad ?? I don't

know the diff between ipad and i touch...I guess I had better start googling

around....

Annie

April 2, 2011

I love the idea of using it as a motivator or I guess more accurately as a

reward.....that would work with us better than having it all of the time....I

appreciate what you had to say....it would end up just being a piece to stim on

for Wes I am sure but I do want to utilize it when I get it in the way you do as

a reward...

thanks again....great example....and also....thanks for wiping away the mirage

of magic bullet......your e-mail was meant for me......

Annie

And lastly, it is fun, but your child can have a full enriching life without it.

It is NOT a magic bullet to create communication or skills, but it is fun and

has some neat apps that are educational and it just seems to appeal to kids.

So that's a lot - I'll write separately later with Darwyn's favourite apps.

, Mom to (age 10 NT) and Darwyn ( age 6 DS ASD and a few heart

surgeries), Canada

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

April 2, 2011

Lori, I am curious about the camera. Can one take photos & use the photos taken

in a pecs way?

Sorta OT but something to think about is adding the ipad or other devices to

homeowners/renters insurance. For a just in case scenerio...

I wish DJ could use one.

Kris

>

> I totally agree with this. Tony liked the iTouch so I was surprised by how

> much better is doing with the iPad. I spent over an hour with Tony using

> the educational apps and while I was right there guiding him - thus he

> wasn't alone in this pursuit, I liked not having to work so hard. I felt

> like I was teaching him but with a great tool rather than flash cards -

> which are great but don't flicker multi-colored cartoons at you.

>

> If the iPad was indestructible, it would be great for communication but we

> can't begin to afford to let Tony carry it around on his own.

>

> I had wanted a first generation just so I could have one but not break the

> bank, but my DH bought a 2nd generation because of the camera. It is

> another fun, interactive tool.

>

> Lori

>

> Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

> Of cathynash@...

> Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 5:17 PM

> To:

> Subject: Re: iPad - dreams VS reality

>

> Hi all,

> I've been meaning to chime in about our iPad adventures. I got one 2 months

> ago and I love it for me (and I am not a techie person or video game person

> at all). Originally our idea was to get the proloquo2go or TaptoTalk app for

> Darwyn and use it as his main communication tool. BUT as with most plans....

> I realized that his PECs binder is big and awkward but works well and can

> take a beating and more importantly with PECs he has to take the picture

> strip with his sentence TO a person and request what he wants - he has to

> engage with another person. Also he knows PECs, his favourite

> interventionist is trained with PECs and his school invested in training his

> aide and a few others (that's a longer story of successful parent advocacy).

> Also one day the iPAD didn't turn on (which made me realize an electricity

> dependent communication tool would have its drawbacks) and I've decided it

> might one day be his communication device, but not before he learns not to

> throw and not until the AAC apps come with training manuals and people who

> know how to teach him how to use it. (And I'm guessing in a few years there

> will be so many more options)

> So the revelation for me is that the iPAD is a huge motivator for Darwyn. If

> he uses his PECs (I made an iPAD picture with a cutout from a flyer and

> clear packing tape) to ask for the iPAD, I tell him that first he has to do

> X and then iPAD and he does it - with enthusiasm and speed! And then he gets

> 20 minutes or so with me holding the iPAD and helping guide him thru some

> more (and some less) educational apps. To get the iPAD, He has eaten food he

> normally won't eat, gone to the toilet (honestly I think he made himself poo

> so he could get the iPAD), he has stopped throwing and helped clean up, and

> my favourite was watching him lean on my dad (normally my dad can't quite

> figure out how to interact with Dar) while dar's sister played with the iPAD

> with him. It has given us new ways to motivate him and also keep him busy

> when we are too tired to move. And a bonus is his sister likes to use it

> with him. Its cool!

> I find the iPAD is bigger than the iTouch which was too small for Darwyn's

> not-so-fine fine motor skills and the screen is so intuitive that Darwyn

> quickly figured out how he can make stuff happen.

> If you are buying one now, the iPad2 just came out and has a camera which is

> great if you want to take basic pictures of stuff and you are kindof inept

> like me with downloading from your laptop, but if you can get a cheap 1st

> model from someone upgrading you could save a few hundred dollars and I

> heard an ipad pro say the #2 is not a huge improvement. But if I was buying

> today I'd get it just for the camera options.

> And lastly, it is fun, but your child can have a full enriching life without

> it. It is NOT a magic bullet to create communication or skills, but it is

> fun and has some neat apps that are educational and it just seems to appeal

> to kids.

> So that's a lot - I'll write separately later with Darwyn's favourite apps.

> , Mom to (age 10 NT) and Darwyn ( age 6 DS ASD and a few heart

> surgeries), Canada

> Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> Re: iPad

>

> I just bought an ipad. I had to order it and it's not here yet. Is it

> easy to get it going?

>

> In a message dated 4/2/2011 1:23:49 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

> tabuhli@... <mailto:tabuhli%40live.com> writes:

>

> Thanks for sharing Lori....So you would recommend the ipad ?? I don't

> know the diff between ipad and i touch...I guess I had better start googling

>

> around....

>

> Annie

>

April 3, 2011

HI -

this is a great post. Very instructive and very real. I especially like that you

point out the iPad is not a miracle worker.

It is, of course, if this is the perfect fit for your child and they take to it,

but each person has such a different set of needs.

We found the iPod is perfect for now. It is smaller, but I'm focusing on whether

or not he will use it to do things. He likes watching the videos. If I think he

is interested in it in a deeper way, i will upgrade him to a iPad. One s tep at

a time We got the iPod Touch before the ipad came out.

He was quick to learn how to move the pictures through.

Thanks for sharing in such a thoughtful way!

Joan

>

> Hi all,

> I've been meaning to chime in about our iPad adventures. I got one 2 months

ago and I love it for me (and I am not a techie person or video game person at

all). Originally our idea was to get the proloquo2go or TaptoTalk app for

Darwyn and use it as his main communication tool. BUT as with most plans....

> I realized that his PECs binder is big and awkward but works well and can take

a beating and more importantly with PECs he has to take the picture strip with

his sentence TO a person and request what he wants - he has to engage with

another person. Also he knows PECs, his favourite interventionist is trained

with PECs and his school invested in training his aide and a few others (that's

a longer story of successful parent advocacy). Also one day the iPAD didn't turn

on (which made me realize an electricity dependent communication tool would have

its drawbacks) and I've decided it might one day be his communication device,

but not before he learns not to throw and not until the AAC apps come with

training manuals and people who know how to teach him how to use it. (And I'm

guessing in a few years there will be so many more options)

> So the revelation for me is that the iPAD is a huge motivator for Darwyn. If

he uses his PECs (I made an iPAD picture with a cutout from a flyer and clear