Month: July 2016


Jul
2016

Using Tablets to Talk!

categories: Accessibility, Education

Picture of school-aged girl sitting at table using tablet.Communication

There are some children who have difficulty talking. Using a tablet can help.  Finding the right tablet for each child is not easy. A specialist, called a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), is like a doctor. A SLP meets with the child and watches the child playing. The SLP also speaks to the child. The SLP enables the child to play with different tablets. The purpose is to see which tablet the child likes to use the most. The SLP then asks the child to do a few tasks. The difficulty of the task levels go up to match the level of the child’s understanding. The
SLP has questions for parents as well. The SLP wants to understand how parents and their children talk to each other at home.
Once the SLP finishes meeting with the child, the SLP will write a report. Parents will receive a copy. If parents want to get a tablet for their child, parents and the SLP will work with each other for at least a month. They watch the child using the tablet at school, and then at home. The purpose is to see if the new tablet is really helpful for the child. Parents will take some data to share with the SLP.
Once a child has the right matching tablet, it is important for the parents to know how to use it. Training for parents is important. Parents need to know how to help their children. Many are afraid of allowing their children to use tablets. They worry their children will become dependent on a tablet and not vocalize any more.
For more information, contact Massachusetts Advocates for Children.


Jul
2016

Epilepsy

categories: Epilepsy

I am a family member of a brother with epilepsy. I am not from the U. S. I have always wondered why there isn’t any help for people with epilepsy in my Image of a man’s face with lighting on his forehead country. I thought once people were found to be disabled or epileptic, they are seen as different. I thought there is nothing to be done for them.

Once in the U.S, I learned people with epilepsy have places to go. I learned help is given to them correctly. I plan on learning best training ways and ideas. I will apply them in my home country. I want to study what local and state groups offer. I want to find out how better services can be given to people with epilepsy.

I am now an agent who has worked in the disability field for a while. I came to realize there are gaps in the ways disabilities are seen. I decided to do more research to understand the difference in epilepsy aids and healing. I will then present my thoughts and next steps.

For more information and resources: Epilepsy Fact Sheet