My kids are amazing! They may not use words yet but they want to communicate. We dance, sing and celebrate. They have so much they want to say and share with each other and with their teachers. As soon as the day begins every experience brings a smile, a question, and a chance to explore.
As a Special Education Teacher working with developmentally disabled students kindergarten through second grade this year I will have twelve students.
Seven of my twelve students will be entering school this August as kindergarteners. Most of my students have Assistive and Augmentative communication needs. In other words, of my five returning students from last year only one has language that all adults and children can easily understand. Some of my students have Down syndrome and are just beginning o learn to speak aloud. Some of my students have physical disabilities that make learning to speak challenging. Many of students come from Spanish-speaking homes and so will be bilingual in their communication as they gain language. Mobile assistive technology can help us!
My Project
We have used iPads and they are great but they are expensive. My students all need a device to work with every day to expand their ability to communicate in every part and location of their day, where ever they go in the school and with all staff members and of course with their peers! Through a combination of free and paid Google Play apps and with your help my students will have access to their own personal Dell Tablet ACC device for communication and to meet their individual academic tasks. Their Tablet will give them access to: AAC Speech Buddy; Model Me Going Places; and JABTalk; Speech with Milo: Verbs; and Bugs and Buttons.
Through the use of these devices my kids will expand their ability to actually access their world!
We began this work last year as the kids shared two aged devices. This year by personalizing the mobile devices for each students' unique educational and communication needs you will see their growth soar. I truly cannot wait to post photos of these amazing kids in action. Their excitement in learning is simply contagious. Please help us!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Goodhand and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.