Do you remember middle school? If you do, you probably cringe a little and are glad you never have to go back. Middle School can be a scary time for young people. Now, imagine attending middle school AND having an autism or anxiety diagnosis. As a school counselor, I want to help these students.
I am the full time counselor in a middle school building that is growing more and more every day.
We have nearly 500 students now in our 6-8 building. And with more students, means a larger variety of issues affecting these students. I have noticed more and more students suffering from anxiety this year and am working more and more with students who fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Even a "regular" day (if we ever have those in middle school) can be a challenge for these students. My goal is to use some of the great current and future apps for autism and anxiety in my individual and group counseling to help these students feel a little more safe and happy each and every day in our school building.
My Project
I both read and operate several blogs, many of them focused on technology. I am constantly researching apps for education when it comes to tablets. I even attended a workshop at our Iowa School Counselor's Association Conference that dealt with apps to use in schools, including some great apps for kids on the autism spectrum. Once I secure the Google Nexus Tablet and cover, I plan to work with other local donors to put my research to good use and add apps for students with autism or anxiety disorders. Immediately, I know I would be able to help nearly a dozen students, but I think that number will rise as more students come into our building. Not to mention, other apps that I could download that may help our struggling readers, build math skills, and help kids in other areas of need. But the primary focus would still always be helping students with autism and anxiety.
Chances are you know someone in your current life who suffers from Autism or anxiety.
Can you imagine that same person hitting the confusing teenage and middle school years? I see these students every day and they need all the help they can get. With this tablet and the apps that I add to the tablet, these students will have another resource, another form of help, to get them through their middle school years and feel good about their life and their uniqueness. You can be that difference!
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