Imagine not being able to communicate with the world around you: you're threatened by communicating and making eye contact with people. Now imagine you find that one tool that allows you to bring the outside world in. A computer is a non threatening magical device for our students with Autism.
I work for a NYC school specializing with autism.
The students range from age 3 - 21. I run the computer lab for the early childhood and elementary units. I service 165 students on a weekly basis. The school is in a low economic neighborhood. In our school 99% of the students receive free breakfast and lunch due to their economic situations. Most of our student do not have any access to a computer or technology other than the school. The students are delayed in expressive and receptive language. They are unable to communicate as you or I would. They often are over stimulated by noise, light and movement. Eye contact is difficult, and communicating wants and needs is extremely frustrating. Most of our students are not verbal and have to learn to communicate through pictures and symbols available to them through technology. Computers are a non threatening device that allow our students to feel free to make mistakes and try again and again to communicate.
My Project
Providing headphones for our computer lab will enable each student to concentrate and focus rather than being overwhelmed by the noises from numerous computers working at once. The headphone will enable the students to focus, stay on task and become successful at the application they are working on. Imagine trying to focus and listen to one song when 24 radios are playing at the same time. It would be impossible, now imagine you are autistic and trying to do this... Our computer lab without the headphones is like all those radios playing at once. Our students desperately need the headphones to achieve success. The headphones will help our students stay focused and be able to engage in the computer based learning activities.
Technology is an increasingly important in the lives of our students.
The skills we help teach our students will build and help determine the extent to which they can live independently. Computers are a non threatening form of communication that allow our students to learn and succeed. Our lab is in need of 24 headphones to help make learning possible. We thank you and appreciate all you can do.
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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. Andrade and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.