Last week Caleigh tried the iPad at our OT clinic using the Kindergarten.com apps. These were free in the month of April. So earlier this month I downloaded a few of them that I thought Caleigh could use for my iPhone. I've been showing Caleigh the flash cards and basically showing her things she had never seen before. An example would be a saxophone. Nope, we don't have one laying around the house.
As soon as we put the iPad in front of her she was swiping pages and showing us that she is quite the smart cookie. Caleigh's used to playing on the iPhone, but she really took to the larger screen. The sensitivity of the touch screen was nice and we started using 3-4 options on the screen instead of the one option flash card. A pleasant woman's voice asks Caleigh to show her the saxophone. She did it. Reached all the way across mid-line with her right hand and tapped away. We didn't keep count during the little iPad session, but we estimate that we showed Caleigh 40ish choice pages and she chose incorrectly 5-8 times. Caleigh's been paying attention. A lot. So incredibly smart.
I got excited. REALLY excited.
I made a call to our DARS lady (vision services) and asked about funding an iPad for Caleigh. We've been talking off and on about a communication device for probably 2 months now. She was just waiting on me to call with the device we chose. She said that they probably could help us out. So she scheduled a visit at our house, our OT came out and did an amazing job of selling the product for Caleigh's use. Afterall, we're talking about $800-$1000 here. If we can have help with that, it would be amazing.
As soon as our OT left, the DARS lady gave me the "well here's the bad news." "It's technology and we can't help pay for that." "There are resources through school, when Caleigh starts, the school would have to pay for one."
Yeah, Right.
I was really disappointed in the entire visit. Angry actually. She should have walked into our house and told us up front instead of waiting for the sells pitch to be over. What a waste of a therapy session. Plus she's known about us wanting a communication device of some sort for months now. She could have made the call then. Ugh.
I felt like this lady, who actually happens to be blind herself, was sitting there telling me that Caleigh wouldn't be able to communicate. I felt like a 5 year old, throwing a fit because my parents told me NO. Nobody tells me no as far as Caleigh goes. If she needs something, she gets it. Who cares if they aren't going to pay for it, who cares if we have to pay for it. Caleigh can express so much through a device like this. Who cares.
So after I picked myself up off the floor, kicking and screaming of course. I decided that we would go and get Caleigh her very own iPad.
A few hours later I felt entirely guilty for what seems like rushing into a decision. Although it really wasn't. I've been researching devices for Caleigh's communication for months now. We've tried 6. I've done my homework. If this was a special needs device that was within monetary reach I wouldn't question myself one bit. The fact that the iPad is some cultural phenomenon is what makes it feel wrong. Buying the iPad makes me feel like I just went out and bought my 16 year old a brand new BMW. It feels wrong, but it's not. The reasons for purchasing the ipad have nothing to do with the phenomenon.
With everything we know about other devices; here's a list of why I think the iPad is the best choice for Caleigh right now.
-Portability. This won me over. The other devices are too bulky & heavy and with Caleigh not sitting in a wheelchair all day the only choice was something we can carry around with ease. I have to carry it...along with my 30 pound daughter. I got a little taste of this with the PRC device that we had on loan. It makes carrying Caleigh even harder. The only option I was given was a wheelchair mount.
-Apps. The educational possibilities are endless. Fine motor skills, books, movies, music. Communication with the app Proloquo2Go is the big seller. I'm loving the customization. I had already downloaded the manual and read through it 3 times. OCD...yes. You can watch a video about it here.
-Lack of fight. Yep, I'm throwing in the towel. Caleigh turns 3 in August and I don't want her voice to wait until then. In Texas the school district is required to buy a communication device, but it takes time...tons of time and meetings. I'm pretty sure they would laugh at me if I told them we wanted the iPad for Caleigh. When it comes to patience and waiting for essential things for Caleigh, I just don't have it lately. There's that 5 year old again....I want it for her and I want it now.
-Cost. We could buy a new iPad + accessories once a year for the $1100 cost of extending the yearly warranty on other devices. Insurance/Medicaid pays for a device once every 5 years and not a minute before. The warranty isn't covered. The overall cost to us would be cheaper in the long run to outright buy an iPad with the $99 two year apple care.
-Age. Caleigh is almost 3 years old. It's a fairly new practice to give kids like Caleigh a high tech communication device. In the past you just waited it out and used photos and objects. There are tons of 3 year olds out there with delayed speech. Caleigh's not the only one not talking yet. She could wake up on her 4th birthday talking up a storm. We still have great hope that Caleigh will one day talk to us with her own voice. I think the iPad is a good starting point for the just in case she does scenario.
-Time. This goes with my lack of fight. Drive to the apple store and pick one up. Get home and download Proloquo2Go and your set. No months of waiting. No forms to fill out. No qualifications. No rental agreements. No approvals. No representatives. It's done and ready to go in 1 day.
So we made our decision. An iPad it is. For now.
After my 5 year old self made a validating phone call to Caleigh's Mimi; it was decided that we would meet at the Apple store the next day. Although I'm pretty sure Mimi has a soft spot for her Caleigh and it was no question whether she needed an iPad or not.
We showed up, purchased, came home and downloaded the app Proloquo2Go. By the next day Caleigh was flying through the first set I made her.
Here's the choice that she made in the above video:
Each day she has gotten better and better. You can tell in the video that I have been holding her arm up at the elbow. This helps with Caleigh's endurance. I also let her do it on her own. With her movements it kinda looks like I'm moving her arm. Nope, not the case. All our girl.
I'm still dreaming up a keyguard though. Anyone out there know how to develop, sell and distribute a plastic product? I've got the plans in my head.......
I've been adding new buttons each day. Caleigh smiles when she tells us something and she still gets excited when I bring out the pad. We started doing pretend play recently so I am trying to incorporate that into the device as well. I've added feelings and yes/no, hi/bye, all new to Caleigh's choices. She's picked up on them perfectly.
Let me say that I really like the PRC language system, Unity. I like the fact that each button has it's place and that is where it stays. After working with the Proloquo2go system, I can understand how setting up pages could get confusing. I'm still keeping an open mind. As Caleigh's fine motor skills develop, and so does PRC, we may be able to transition to a PRC device at a later time.
As far as the DynaVox goes, well, the iPad blows it out of the water as far as I'm concerned.
I'm excited about our decision. I think it will take Caleigh to the next level.
Our intelligent, bright & brilliant girl. We'll just have to see what the future holds.
I got excited. REALLY excited.
I made a call to our DARS lady (vision services) and asked about funding an iPad for Caleigh. We've been talking off and on about a communication device for probably 2 months now. She was just waiting on me to call with the device we chose. She said that they probably could help us out. So she scheduled a visit at our house, our OT came out and did an amazing job of selling the product for Caleigh's use. Afterall, we're talking about $800-$1000 here. If we can have help with that, it would be amazing.
As soon as our OT left, the DARS lady gave me the "well here's the bad news." "It's technology and we can't help pay for that." "There are resources through school, when Caleigh starts, the school would have to pay for one."
Yeah, Right.
I was really disappointed in the entire visit. Angry actually. She should have walked into our house and told us up front instead of waiting for the sells pitch to be over. What a waste of a therapy session. Plus she's known about us wanting a communication device of some sort for months now. She could have made the call then. Ugh.
I felt like this lady, who actually happens to be blind herself, was sitting there telling me that Caleigh wouldn't be able to communicate. I felt like a 5 year old, throwing a fit because my parents told me NO. Nobody tells me no as far as Caleigh goes. If she needs something, she gets it. Who cares if they aren't going to pay for it, who cares if we have to pay for it. Caleigh can express so much through a device like this. Who cares.
So after I picked myself up off the floor, kicking and screaming of course. I decided that we would go and get Caleigh her very own iPad.
A few hours later I felt entirely guilty for what seems like rushing into a decision. Although it really wasn't. I've been researching devices for Caleigh's communication for months now. We've tried 6. I've done my homework. If this was a special needs device that was within monetary reach I wouldn't question myself one bit. The fact that the iPad is some cultural phenomenon is what makes it feel wrong. Buying the iPad makes me feel like I just went out and bought my 16 year old a brand new BMW. It feels wrong, but it's not. The reasons for purchasing the ipad have nothing to do with the phenomenon.
With everything we know about other devices; here's a list of why I think the iPad is the best choice for Caleigh right now.
-Portability. This won me over. The other devices are too bulky & heavy and with Caleigh not sitting in a wheelchair all day the only choice was something we can carry around with ease. I have to carry it...along with my 30 pound daughter. I got a little taste of this with the PRC device that we had on loan. It makes carrying Caleigh even harder. The only option I was given was a wheelchair mount.
-Apps. The educational possibilities are endless. Fine motor skills, books, movies, music. Communication with the app Proloquo2Go is the big seller. I'm loving the customization. I had already downloaded the manual and read through it 3 times. OCD...yes. You can watch a video about it here.
-Lack of fight. Yep, I'm throwing in the towel. Caleigh turns 3 in August and I don't want her voice to wait until then. In Texas the school district is required to buy a communication device, but it takes time...tons of time and meetings. I'm pretty sure they would laugh at me if I told them we wanted the iPad for Caleigh. When it comes to patience and waiting for essential things for Caleigh, I just don't have it lately. There's that 5 year old again....I want it for her and I want it now.
-Cost. We could buy a new iPad + accessories once a year for the $1100 cost of extending the yearly warranty on other devices. Insurance/Medicaid pays for a device once every 5 years and not a minute before. The warranty isn't covered. The overall cost to us would be cheaper in the long run to outright buy an iPad with the $99 two year apple care.
-Age. Caleigh is almost 3 years old. It's a fairly new practice to give kids like Caleigh a high tech communication device. In the past you just waited it out and used photos and objects. There are tons of 3 year olds out there with delayed speech. Caleigh's not the only one not talking yet. She could wake up on her 4th birthday talking up a storm. We still have great hope that Caleigh will one day talk to us with her own voice. I think the iPad is a good starting point for the just in case she does scenario.
-Time. This goes with my lack of fight. Drive to the apple store and pick one up. Get home and download Proloquo2Go and your set. No months of waiting. No forms to fill out. No qualifications. No rental agreements. No approvals. No representatives. It's done and ready to go in 1 day.
So we made our decision. An iPad it is. For now.
After my 5 year old self made a validating phone call to Caleigh's Mimi; it was decided that we would meet at the Apple store the next day. Although I'm pretty sure Mimi has a soft spot for her Caleigh and it was no question whether she needed an iPad or not.
We showed up, purchased, came home and downloaded the app Proloquo2Go. By the next day Caleigh was flying through the first set I made her.
Here's the choice that she made in the above video:
Each day she has gotten better and better. You can tell in the video that I have been holding her arm up at the elbow. This helps with Caleigh's endurance. I also let her do it on her own. With her movements it kinda looks like I'm moving her arm. Nope, not the case. All our girl.
I'm still dreaming up a keyguard though. Anyone out there know how to develop, sell and distribute a plastic product? I've got the plans in my head.......
I've been adding new buttons each day. Caleigh smiles when she tells us something and she still gets excited when I bring out the pad. We started doing pretend play recently so I am trying to incorporate that into the device as well. I've added feelings and yes/no, hi/bye, all new to Caleigh's choices. She's picked up on them perfectly.
Let me say that I really like the PRC language system, Unity. I like the fact that each button has it's place and that is where it stays. After working with the Proloquo2go system, I can understand how setting up pages could get confusing. I'm still keeping an open mind. As Caleigh's fine motor skills develop, and so does PRC, we may be able to transition to a PRC device at a later time.
As far as the DynaVox goes, well, the iPad blows it out of the water as far as I'm concerned.
I'm excited about our decision. I think it will take Caleigh to the next level.
Our intelligent, bright & brilliant girl. We'll just have to see what the future holds.
16 comments:
I am thrilled for you guys! Especially for Caleigh.
Kelsey and I are beyond jealous.
Thanks so much for sharing. I didn't know how I was going to get my hands on one to try and seeing your video is so nice.
So happy for Caleigh.
Bravo! Standing applause!
(Your anger was justified. The DARS refusal doesn't smell right, but I support you decision to run from the stench of a battle.)
Wishing I could help you develop a product...will try to send somebody else over.
I do not doubt Caleigh is moving her arm, but hope you can work out another support for her as well as something to hold it on her tray. (Think about one of those hinged plate holders.) I also do not doubt that you and the OT can figure something out.
Barbara
Fantastic! We're considering an iPad for Charlie although I think we'll hold off on Proloque2Go. Still, the possibilities are exciting.
That is amazing!
I am just starting to look at devices for my daughter. I am very interested in the dynavox and the iPad. How do they compare as far as durability? My hope is for my daughter to be able to use this on her own, and I know she would drop it. Which one do you think is more durable?
I would love to hear any thoughts you have!
Debbi
awesome! i got an ipad for work and have been letting the kids play with it. drake is definitely able to manipulate the ipad better than the iphone. he even isolates his index finger to select things on the favorite ipad app we have - i see ewe.
Hi! I found your blog through Blogher and wanted to say that Caleigh looks like she certainly is enjoying her new device.
Call it an iPad, call it a communication device - that's not the important thing - the important thing is that Caleigh is COMMUNICATING!
Im so happy she is doing so well!!! She is both beautiful and brillant! I can't wait to see what is in store for her!!
Thanks so much for such a wonderful account of the Ipad! I am so excited for it's Australian release in a few weeks.
I am so sorry it was not funded, I don;t think it will be funded here in Australia either...and if it is such a long road to get it. It is much more affordable than a "disability label" device as such.
I hope Caleigh continues to thrive using it.
Bron
That is wonderful! She is doing such a great job with it! So frustrating that you could not get the funding, but I think you made the right choice getting the iPad for Caleigh to get going with communication. She never ceases to amaze me!
This is great news. I just stumbled upon your blog because someone posted it on facebook. We're going to definitely check out the iPad as an alternative, our daughter doesn't see well so it may be a great tool.
Wonderful, amazing and so pleased to see others with special needs using the ipad. I am going to show my sons teacher your blog. She has been fighting the district to get them to purchase an ipad for my son since they first came out. She was able to test one for a month with my son(who is on home instruction do to his health) and he has never responded so well to a device and did awesome with it. The district is saying no way to the purchase, so we keep fighting.
Though I am to the point of wondering if we can afford not to purchase it for my son.
Love your Blog. We too are looking at buying an Ipad for our son. Luckily we live in an area where a local group will provide a $400 grant to help purchase things like this. We live in Central Texas. We have a blog for our son too, and we too have had to fight for everything. It gets exhausting but is so wonderful when we get what he needs. Now if I can just get a bigger house for all of his stuff. Take care!
I am an SLP in a public school system and am very interested in your blog and the success that you have had with the ipad. I have a non-verbal kindergartner that is working wonderfully with a GoTalk 32 right now but I am afraid that she is going to outgrow it quickly. I am wondering if the ipad would be higher level than the GoTalk but not as complex as the speech generated devices by PRC and Dyanvox.
Great post! We're considering an iPad for our daughter, too, very useful post! She's using a Dynavox now, but it seems from my research that the iPad does all that and way more, and instead of the $5000 the Dynavox cost us, only $600! It was seeing my "normal" 2 year old take to the iPad that gave us the idea, and Snail has also had a love affair with mine. Thanks for the post and great to find your blog!
I'm reading this almost a year after the fact and I can't wait to read the update. Really exciting stuff. We have the iPad for Sebastian but he's not making choices with the proloquo2 yet, although we use it for sequencing, really great to read what Caleigh is doing with her technology.
Post a Comment