I teach at an off-site public school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The kids in my class range from ages 5-7 and are mostly non-verbal. Aside from learning to communicate, my students are working on feeding, toilet training and other vital life skills. It is so important to teach these skills as early as possible to establish independence in the future, especially communication skills.
Without a functional way to communicate, our students have no way of telling us what they need or want.
Imagine not being able to communicate that you are are hurt, hungry, or don't feel safe. Life as a child with Autism can be very frustrating. It is our job as educators to help our students find the tools they need to be successful communicators so our students can be happy, safe and independent!
My Project
I am asking for iPads and durable cases for my students. In order for a student to be approved for an IEP-driven speech generating iPad, they must show that they can successfully learn to communicate on it. These iPads will serve as practice iPads for students to become familiar with communication programs so that when it is time to be evaluated for a personal communication device, they will show that they are ready for it!
Research shows that using Augmentative and Alternative Communication is effective in supporting children with ASD to communicate (e.g., to request preferred items, help).
iPads can be used as high-tech devices that support communication apps which generate speech for the user. Speech generating devices (SGDs) serve as a consistent language model and can enhance the development of a student's natural speech and language, and therefore would benefit our students that are emergent verbal communicators in addition to our non-verbal communicators.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Ms. Lindberg and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
