Comments on: Apps for Autism: Communicating on the iPad
Add a Comment
- Thank you for the awesome segment on apps to help students communicate. Since it was a wonderful story, I am glad to see so many people speak up about person-first language. I wish the media would check with just one person who works with students with disabilities before they publish. The media is the role model for millions of people and they could really help people understand that we are all people first and then have differences second. To the parents complaining about PC, there is absolutely nothing wrong with saying "my child is autistic," you are discussing your child and then describing what he/she has. This is different from stating "autistic child" as if autism is all that defines your child. I bet your child is also tall, short, blonde, brunette, skinny, chubby, funny, sad, etc. but you don't walk around saying my "skinny child." That's all we're saying with person-first language, talk about individuals first, then the differences they have if they are relevant to the story. I notice the media is very PC when it comes to racial topics; they should come into the 21st century when talking about disabilities as well. And yes, all three of my children have disabilities.
- Reply to this comment
- I felt this piece to be poorly researched. I was surprised no Speech-Language Pathologists were interviewed. Leslie interviewed teachers and a "therapist"; however, no credentials were mentioned. This segment could have been better supported (and received better reviews) with the help of an SLP who specializes in working with children with ASD and AAC devices!
Leslie, I could go on for days (really) about the number of things that were poorly portrayed in this report. I would love to see a re-do or a new piece! - Reply to this comment
- Sounds great but the price it pretty expensive . Is there any programs that can help parents with Autisic child to get a I Pad at a reasonable price?
- Reply to this comment
- Please let Leslie know that these are PEOPLE FIRST...
Children with Autism..
a Boy with Autism
a girl with Autism..
We all want to be a person first and then know for our uniqueness!~ - Reply to this comment
- My 7-year-old son has Down syndrome and has been using this app for several months now with tremendous results. The system is similarly based on the Meyers-Johnson augmentive tech tool, but it's the technical interaction with the Ipad that somehow unleashes magic with him. Plus, it's a fraction of the cost and with great ease can be customized to the user. He has simply blossomed with communiation and confidence. It has also separately been a fantastic tool for acceptance... his second grade classmates think it is very cool to hear my son 'speak' to him in such a 'hip' way. I've read many comments on here about people considering this for others in their life with speech or communications deficiencies... I say run, do not walk, to download this app. It's positioned in the story to help those with autism, but is effective for anyone who needs extra assistance to speak to the world.
I am very sympathetic to those who bring up people first language. However, I am also a trained journalist and understand basic editing. Less words wins in a newscast. Let's build advocacy through partnerships, not force, and understand intention before we rake others over the coals.
Overall, a beautiful advocacy story, showcasing the tremendous abilities of those with disabilities. Kudos to 60 minutes for showing the spotlight on these incredible individials in such a positive way. - Reply to this comment
- Your piece on "Apps for Autism" was somewhat frustrating and disappointing to view. I don't recall any mention made to the fact that the picture symbols used as part of the application have been around for over 25 years. They are called the Mayer-Johnson picture symbols or the computer program is referred to as "The Boardmaker." Those of us who have worked with inidividuals with autism are well aware of their prevalence - I was surprised that there was no mention of their use. The picture symbols have also been used with voice activation. The story as it was portrayed, although encouraging for the individuals featured, is not new. The story may have been more relevant if the discussion focusde mainly on the touch pad feature, the storage capability of picture symbols, and the ease with which one can transport the ipad. It is important to understand and note that there are and have been many modes of communication (that are very affordable) that have been succesfully used with individuals with autism.
- Reply to this comment
- I am truly disappointed with those folks who have selfishly swayed the conversation away from joy and hope to one of complete nonsense. Seriously, if all you have worry about is how someone is described than your life must be rosy (and boring in my opinion). Speaking as the father of an autistic daughter ...yes I said it ... get a life!
- Reply to this comment
- This was great story! As one of the founders of Alexicom Tech, an internet based, but not internet dependent AAC system, I was really touched by the 27 year old man Joshua Hood whose world was opened up by the iPad and the AAC software. My wife and I have a person connection with the company we started with the help of tech Guru Karen Suhm, our son Alex has autism and he is non verbal. The company is named after him. We would really like to get a hold of Josh and his mother Nancy along with the three teachers in the stroy, Ian, Sabrina and Staci. We would like to provide them with Alexicom Tech absolutely free of charge. If one of you are reading this or some one who knows them is reading this, please relay this to them. fredi.lajvardi@alexicomtech.com is my email along with coachfredi@hotmail.com Our website is http://www.alexicomaac.com/dnn/Default.aspx
Please get a hold of me. We really want you to use our system. I got in to this to help my son and anyone else that has lost their voice. We are really trying to make something special and we believe we have. - Reply to this comment
- Alexicom Tech, which was inspired by Alex who has autism, is a communication application that has extensive vocabulary and pictures. With several free features within the app, Alexicom hopes to provide communication to more people. We believe everyone deserved to be heard! www.alexicomaac.com
- Reply to this comment
- Hi All this note is for Leslie. Great piece about the apps that provide people with autism the ability to communicate. I really enjoyed the story. I would like to tell you about People First Language. This is the trend in the evolution of language. It works like this, first the person then the disability. So instead of saying autistic person we now say person with autism. The English language doesn't support this way of speaking but all other languages do so it takes practice to get in alignment with focusing on the person. Thanks for your continued great work inspiring us to what is out there in the wide world. Sincerely Candace Cable
- Reply to this comment
