AutisMate by SpecialNeedsWare

Description of app:

AutisMate is an autism communication, therapy, and learning tool that promotes communication, functional skills, generalization, task analysis, independence, and social skills in people with Autism. AutisMate allows those with autism to communicate through familiar scenes, large images of their environment that can include video, symbols, and social stories as well. Parents and therapists can easily add their own videos and images, symbols (over 12,000 included), custom voice recordings, and synthesized voices to fully and easily customize the app for its user’s current and future needs. The app was designed specifically for the language, speech, generalization, and categorization challenges that individuals with autism often face. GPS reduces navigation by presenting users with scenes from their current location. Making custom word boards for different categories with symbols or your own images is made very simple, and users can get to them with just a click. There’s no difficult navigation, which children with autism often struggle with, as found in many other speech apps out there today.

I originally saw this at:

  • Labor of love: Developer creates iPad app to help his autistic brother — from techcrunch.com by Chris Velazco
    When Jonathan Izak graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010, he decided to put his new degree in Computer Science to very good use. In an effort to help his 10-year old autistic brother Oriel communicate and learn new tasks, he developed a new iPad app called Autismate to try and simplify the process.

VizWiz.org

Also see:

  • Yes folks, it’s artificial artificial artificial intelligence
    This is about using what The Economist calls artificial artificial intelligence (like Mechanical Turk, which uses people as artificial computers) to enhance (artificially intelligent) machine vision
    The idea is that the disabled can finally turn the tables on disability. They’re getting involved in developing tools to help the rest of us help them.

    Real-Time Crowd Support for People with Disabilities
  • VizWiz.org

— I originally saw this at Steve Knode’s December 2011 newsletter

Review: Top iPad Guide for Teaching Special Needs Students — from gettingsmart.com by Sarah Cargill

Also see:

 

http://nprinc.com/images/refcards/ipad_full.jpg

 

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Voices in the Dark -- a videogame for the blind by IguanaBee.com

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E-Learning expands for special-needs students — from edweek.org by Nirvi Shah
But obstacles to greater participation remain, and questions persist about what works best for students with disabilities.

Universal Design for Learning: It’s Not Just for Disability Experts Anymore (The Confessions of a First-Time Teacher) — from National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) by Amy Katzel

Excerpt:

All students, with or without disabilities, have different strengths and weaknesses. Early on, it was clear to me that I had a wide range of abilities in the room. Some students started out unable to consistently construct full sentences, while others were already writing complex prose. Some students raised their hand frequently to answer questions, while others preferred to stay quiet. When we did reading assignments during class, everyone read at different speeds. Some youth demonstrated they understood the material on quizzes, but then struggled with applying those concepts to their essays.

When I get up in front of the class, to which student am I teaching?

Also see:

Here are two online-based modules from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) regarding Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

These two free online modules introduce the theory, principles and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to teachers and teacher candidates. The modules, each four to six hours in length, can be used in graduate and undergraduate education courses, professional development, consulting activities, and as a resource for educators across the country.

Module One, Introduction to UDL, offers an overview of UDL by addressing the three principles of UDL, the connection of UDL to neuroscience, and the impact of UDL on curriculum.

Module Two, Applying UDL to Lesson Development, provides practice applying the UDL principles and guidelines to instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments.

 


About CAST:

CAST is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning.

Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST has earned international recognition for its innovative contributions to educational products, classroom practices, and policies. Its staff includes specialists in education research and policy, neuropsychology, clinical/school psychology, technology, engineering, curriculum development, K-12 professional development, and more.


 

Also see:

SNApps4Kids.com

 

Above resource from:

 

Addendums later on 7/19:

 

Disabled bodies, able minds: Giving voice, movement, and independence to the physically challenged — from Edutopia.org by Diane Curtis
Assistive technology makes it possible for students without full mobility to participate in class and school activities.

Classroom language and reading trial shows promising results — from Down Syndrome Education International by Frank Buckley

Excerpt:

Speaking at an international scientific conference in Rome, researchers from Down Syndrome Education International and the University of York today reported positive initial results from a landmark study of a targeted language and reading programme for children with Down syndrome.

Child with Down syndrome reading in class

Down Syndrome Education International today reported promising initial findings from the early stages of a trial of a language and reading programme designed for schoolchildren with Down syndrome. The charity is conducting the multicentre randomised controlled trial in the UK with partners at the University of York. The study is the first large controlled trial of a educational intervention for children with Down syndrome.

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teachtown.com -- educational products for children with autism

 

TeachTown provides education software and solutions for children with special needs and autism. Serving special education, TeachTown addresses language learning, social skills, communications skills and emotional development.

 

From DSC:
I originally saw this at “New website offers autism information and support

 

Summer reading programs for special needs students — from Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs

June is National Audiobook Month, did you know that?  As part of their “Get Caught Reading Campaign” the National Publishers Association has launched a “Get Caught Listening” Campaign for June.  It is the perfect tie in to a Special Needs Summer Reading Program or a Summer Literacy through Listening Program.  Teacher can order Get Caught Listening Posters and review Get Caught Listening for Teachers.

Summer reading programs are a staple in schools. They are also often sponsored by local libraries, book stores and other programs. As I have written before such programs can be adapted to our learners. An article on LD Online suggests the possibility of developing a summer listening program for learners with special needs. I love this idea and all of the suggestions on how to do it. From e-books with text-to-speech, to parents reading to children, to downloaded MP3 audio books and audio books from the library on a CD player. Also there are interactive books like Silly Books, TumbleBooks, and Bookflix. (Our local library website for access before purchasing)

Sections include:

  • Sites and Articles about Summer Book Programs
  • Where to Find Summer Book Programs
  • Free Recorded Books for Those with Disabilities
  • Download Audiobooks
  • Electronic Books
  • Websites to Share with Parents
  • Audiobooks in the Classroom
  • Worksheets
  • Books About Children/Young Adults with Disabilities
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