The echo, vol 12, issue 2, october 2013
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Transcript of The echo, vol 12, issue 2, october 2013
The Echo….Keeping you informed!
IN THIS ISSUE
ASCC Programs & Events Find information on upcoming programs and events in the enclosed program and calen-
dar pages.
See Page 2
CCS Teacher Mini-Grants
See Pages 5
Autism Resource Roundtable
See Page 4
iPads and Autism: A Perfect Match? By: Amy Perry, ASNC Parent Advocate/Trainer
The Spectrum, Volume 29, Number 2 Summer Edition
On April 3, 2010, Apple released the first generation iPad. Steve Jobs called it a ‘magical
device,” and in many ways, that is exactly what it is: a slate of glass possessing the pow-
er of a computer, the vast content of the Internet, and a bottomless well of software
applications or “apps”. The iPad literally puts the world at your fingertips, requiring only
the operator’s fingers and imagination. Simply put, the real magic of the iPad is that it is
truly a blank slate, designed to be customized by each user for his or her unique needs.
It was clear to everyone that this new and powerful technology had the potential to be
world-changing, but few knew just how many worlds it would change for those with au-
tism.
The iPad is, in many cases, a natural match for people with autism. Stories are told every
day of people who had been locked in their own worlds, unable to communicate, find a
portal in the iPad to reach out an interact with families for the first time. Children who
were thought to have severe intellectual disabilities are able to show intelligence and
awareness no one thought was possible. A child who refused to hold a pencil or write on
paper now draws and writes freely using the magic of his fingertip. You don't have to
look very far to see lives changed by this technology, but about the iPad that makes it
such a natural match with autism?
Design:
The design of the IPad is simple: a 9.7-inch glass screen with one circular button at the
bottom. Power and volume controls are on the sides and out of the main view: there are
almost no visual distractions on the outside body. The layout of the screen is a natural
grid made up of approximately 1-inch icon squares, each activated by a single touch.
The number and layout of icons on any screen can be customized by the user so that the
screen can contain only one or two choices, or as many as twenty-five. The ability to
customize the number of choices and the amount of information on a page can be very
helpful. Many people find that iPad screens mimic the ‘choice boards’ that the autism
community has been using for years.
Interaction:
The beautify simplicity of the iPad is that it is operated by the touch of a finger; this is
also what makes it such an ideal tool for people with autism. One of the skills that is
looked for in early childhood development is the ability to point to indicate interest. The
iPad requires the user to do exactly that, providing children with autism with many op-
portunities to develop this skill. (cont. pg. 2)
ASCC Membership Are you interested in becoming a member of the ASCC ? Learn how you can support the ASCC
and stay connected with our organization.
See Page 8
7th Autism Awareness Vera
Bradley Bingo Night
See Page 6-7
ASCC Parent Education Program
Monday- October 14 2013
Pictures Speak Volumes Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for children, adolescents
and adults with ASD
By: Missie Holmes, Speech Pathologist (see pg. 2)
September 2013 Volume 12, Issue 2
ASCC Programs-Opportunities for Parents and Children
Parent Education
Program
Please join us on
Monday, October 14 2013, 6:30 pm
at the
Partnership for Children Resource
Center
351 Wagoner Drive,
Multipurpose Room 343
for a presentation titled
Pictures Speak Volumes Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS) for children, adolescents and
adults with ASD
Missie Holmes, Speech Pathologist
Speech and Language Rehabilitation
Services
Free respite care will be available on
site through Community Based
Developmental Services. Please
contact Cynthia Billops at 488-5820
or 488-4584 to reserve your space
at least 24 hours in advance.
ASCC Support Groups
Support Groups provide an
opportunity to share, learn, and
connect. Parents, caregivers,
guardians, and professionals are
welcome to participate in all of our
support groups. Please check the
calendar on page three for meeting
dates/times/locations.
The HFA/Asperger’s Support Group
meets every second Monday of the
month, Sep—Nov, Jan—May,
immediately preceding the Parent
Education Program. This group
meets in Room 414 of the PFC
Resource Center. Focus: Families of
children, adolescents, and adults
diagnosed with HFA or Asperger’s.
Childcare will not be provided.
The Autism Lunch Club (ALC) Support
Group meets every second Tuesday
of the month at various Fayetteville
restaurants. Focus: Families of
adolescents and adults with ASD.
Childcare will not be provided.
The Autism Breakfast Club (ABC)
Support Group meets every first and
third Wednesday of the month at the
PFC Resource Center, Room 414.
Focus: Families of children with ASD
up to age 12. Childcare will be provid-
ed.
The Preschool Support Group (The
High Fives) meets weekly on
Thursdays at the PFC Resource
Center, Room 343. Focus: Families
of young children with ASD ages 1-5
years. Childcare will be provided.
While every group focuses on a
specific age range, parents of
children of all ages are welcome to
attend all support groups!
Workshops
Please call the ASCC office at (910)
826-3004/3005 to register for all
workshops.
The Newly Diagnosed Workshop is led
by Amy Perry, ASNC Parent Advocate,
and is held every first Thursday of the
month from 9:30 am—12:00 pm.
(even calendar months)
The Autism Resource Roundtable is
led by Amy Perry, ASNC Autism Re-
source Specialist, and is held ever
first Thursday of the month from 9:30
am-12:00 pm. (even calendar
months)
The Individualized Education Plan
Workshop, led by Amy Perry, provides
an opportunity for parents and
providers to learn all about IEPs. It
will be offered quarterly.
The Little Miracles Child Development
Services Workshop will be offered
every fourth Wednesday of the month
by Board Certified Behavioral Ana-
lysts. The workshops will cover differ-
ent parenting topics every month.
The Echo I Issue 2 , October 2013 2
Ipads and Autism: A Perfect Match? cont.
Pointing is one of the most basic forms of gestural commu-
nication, and the iPad responds instantly in an infinite num-
ber of ways. On the iPad, the finger can play musical instru-
ments, write words, turn a page, pop balloons, make choic-
es, complete puzzles, and even launch angry birds at towers
of blocks. The mere interactive nature of the iPad can cre-
ate a natural gateway for more gesture-based communica-
tion and even joint attention activities.
Portability and Accessibility
Before iPads, the closest thing we had to portable technolo-
gy was laptop computers. But laptops are heavier and more
cumbersome, making them less accessible to young chil-
dren and people with physical challenges. Laptops also re-
quire a touchpad or a mouse, which can be a barrier to use.
While the average laptop weighs 6-8 pounds, iPads weigh
just 1.5 pounds, are approximately one-third smaller than a
laptop, and can be placed in a variety of cases to make
them easy for even very young children to hold. Laptops
typically can run four hours or less requiring a recharge.
IPads have up to ten hours of battery life on a single charge.
Software or “apps” for iPads are also much more readily
available than computer software, new content can be pur-
chased from the App store instantly on the iPad with just a
few taps, and where are no disks or system requirements to
keep up with. Additionally, more and more programmers are
developing apps specifically for the autism community.
What Can’t the iPad Do?
For all of the terrific things the iPad can do, there are many
things it cannot do. I cannot “cure” autism, it is not a “magic
bullet”, and simply placing it in the hands of a person with
autism isn't necessarily any more beneficial than putting
them in front of a computer or television. An iPad should
never be a substitute for personal interaction, nor should it
be replace opportunities to practice real world skills. It
should never be imposed on a child who is uninterested or
unwilling to use it. When iPads are used by caring parents
and professionals to help people with autism reach their
highest potential, wonderful things can happen.
Permission to reprint by Amy Perry
The Echo I Issue 2, October 2013 3
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
9:30-11:00 am
ABC Support Group
PFCRC RM 414
3
9:30-11 am Preschool Support Group
PFCRC RM 414
9:30-12:00 pm
Autism Resource Roundtable
PFCRC RM 414
4 9:00-12:00 pm iPad
Lending Project
PFCRC Conf. RM B
5
6 7 1:00-4:00 pm iPad
Lending Project
PFC RM 414
8 11:30 am Autism
Lunch Club (ALC)
Support Group
Lone Star Restaurant
9 10
9:30-11:00 am Preschool Support Group
PFCRC RM 343
11
9:00-12:00 pm IPad
Lending Project
PFCRC RM 414
12 ASNC Triangle Run/Walk for Au-tism
Raleigh, NC For more information, please call:
(800) 442-2762
13 14 1:00-4:00 pm
iPad Lending Project,
PFCRC RM 414
5:45-6:30pm HFA Support
Group, PFCRC, RM 414
6:30-8pm Parent Education
Program, PFCRC RM 343
15
16 9:30-11:00 am
ABC Support Group,
PFCRC RM 343
17
9:30-11:00 am Preschool Support Group
PFCRC RM 414
18 9:00-12:00
pm IPad Lending
Project PFCRC RM
414
Vera Bradley Bingo Night! (doors open at 5:00 pm)
19 10:30 am-Rhythm
and Rhyme
Sensory Story time
Hope Mills Library
20 21 1:00-4:00 pm iPad
Lending Project
PFCRC RM 414
22 11:00-1:00 pm
ASCC Board of
Directors Meeting
PFCRC RM 414
23 10:00-11:00 am
Little Miracles
Workshop
PFCRC RM 414
24 9:30-11:00 am
Preschool Support
Group
PFCRC RM 414
25 9:00-12:00 pm IPad
Lending Project
PFCRC RM 414
26
3:00 pm—6:00pm
Partnership for
Children Pumpkin Patch Party, PFC Parking Lot
A free and fun family event!
27 28 1:00-4:00 pm iPad
Lending Project
PFCRC RM 414
29 30 31 9:30-11:00 am
Preschool Support
Group
PFCRC RM 343
October 2013
7th Autism Awareness Vera Bradley Bingo
Friday, October 18 at 6 :00 pm
Doors Open at 5:00 pm
Location: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
2844 Village Drive, Fayetteville NC
The Echo I Issue 2, October 2013 4
The Echo I Issue 2, October 2013 5
The ASCC is excited to announce the availability of funding for teacher mini-grants again this
school year. Teachers of self-contained autism classrooms are eligible to apply for this grant. All mini-grant requests
must be written for no less than $100.00 and no more than $200.00. We hope that this opportunity will provide some
assistance to teachers as they are serving students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Applications will be
emailed in mid November and are due to the ASCC no later than January 17, 2014.
The ASCC would like to invite our Families out
for a great day of fun!
The ASCC Supports Children and Teachers
in Cumberland County Schools
Thank you Isaiah for your donating
your birthday gifts to the ASCC!!!
Learning with iPads at
Camp Sunshine 2013 was a great
experience!
Camp Sunshine
campers visited the
Millstone Theatre
this summer!
The Echo I Issue 2, October 2013 6
The Echo I Issue 2, October 2013 7
351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Tel: 910-826-3004/3005
Fax: 910-868-5881
E-mail: [email protected]
www.autismcc.org
“Supporting Individuals Within The Autism Spectrum”
Winner of the Autism Society of
North Carolina affiliate of the Year
Award—1996, 2002, & 2003
Membership & Donations
Return Service Requested
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County is an affiliate of the Autism
Society of North Carolina.
Mission Statement:
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County is committed to providing
support and promoting opportunities
which enhance the lives of individu-
als within the autism spectrum and
their families.
Vision Statement:
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County strives to create a community
where people within the autism
spectrum and their families receive
respect, services, and supports
based on individual differences,
needs, and preferences.
Disclaimer:
The Autism Society of Cumberland
County does not take any position
regarding studies of ASD, nor en-
dorse any particular form of treat-
ment, intervention, or therapy. This
newsletter allows us to pass along
current information in the field of
ASD to our families and organization
members.
Please make checks payable to:
Autism Society of Cumberland County
351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Name:
Parent/Caregiver Professional
Sibling Individual with ASD
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
A great way to help support our program is to
become a member. As a member of the ASCC, you
enjoy voting rights during membership meetings,
you are eligible for election to the Board of
Directors, and you receive priority for conference
scholarships. Membership is effective for one year.
Please remember the ASCC with your tax-deductible
charitable contribution. Thank you!
Annual Membership ($10.00)
Donation $_________
Join us on Facebook
Cumberland Community
Foundation
Board of Directors:
Anna Finch, President
Gwen Scott, Vice President
Brandy Mello, Secretary
Chris Leacock , Treasurer
John Allen
Cynthia Billops
Dr. Kelly Charles
Ronda Holden
Dr. Suzanna Fletcher
Staff:
Sylvia Adamczyk, Director of Programs & Outreach
Alvita Blue, Program & Outreach Assistant
October 2013 The Echo Volume 12, Issue 2
FY 2013/2014 Board of Directors & Staff Funded In Part By:
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