Communicating using the iPod Touch

One of the newer forms of communication for students is using the iPad or iPod Touch. We are only recently seeing them in schools. Throughout our course we have had the oppotunity to learn more about the iPod and what it is capable of doing. One positive aspect of the iPod Touch is that it is very portable and the student can carry it anywhere's. Some studentscan wear it on a strap around thier neck so that it is easy to access but not in the way. The iPod can be used for learning, communicatng between home and school and a schedule for the students.

Two summers ago I took an assistive technology course and we were introduced to the program proloquo2go. It is a costly app but allows the student to communicate independently. This program allows you to have many layers so each subject can have it's own seperate board and also one for home, wants/needs and greetings to name a few. It is very hard to show exactly how amazing this program is. For the beginner it can be very basic and as the student progresses more layouts can be added so the student can communicate in many more settings.

In my school we have a student in grade six who has Downe Syndrome and is non verbal. He has just recieved an iPad with this program. I am looking forward to watching his progress and that of his teachers as he learns to communicate with his peers. It is very exciting to watch a child get his voice, it opens up a whole new world.

This device will work with many students but if there are fine motor issues the iPod Touch may not be the appropriate choice. It requires the student to be able to point to small areas and to also have to swipe from board to board. Many students with cerebral palsy do not have that fine motor control. FOr these students an alternate form of augmentative communication would be necessary. In my next blog I will look at communication devises that are better suited for students with fine motor issues.