My students need a iPad to help them communicate with each other and teachers in school.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Wilkens's classroom raised $757
This project is fully funded
My Students
All my students with autism face difficulty communicating their ideas and thoughts. Some cannot speak at all while others have difficulty starting conversations or answering questions. In addition, many of my kids lack reciprocal interaction skills.
I have 36 students with autism from kindergarten to 6th grade in Minnesota who need help learning to communicate.
The majority of my students are Somali and their parents do not have funds to purchase communication devices to help them. My students and I are currently participating in a research study using one iPad with the Proloquo2go communication application on it. It has been amazing to see how children light up when they first begin to understand they can "talk" with the iPad! In addition, I have downloaded several free applications that teach vocabulary, concepts, asking and answering questions and comprehension. There is simply no limits on what we can do with this device! On top of it all-the kids LOVE using it! Unfortunately, because this is a research study, I have no guarantee that we will be able to keep the iPad after this study is complete at the end of this year.
My Project
My students will be able to learn through interactive activities on the iPad and will use it to talk with other students in our speech groups. Many of my students need to use pictures to talk with other students. When the child can simply press the picture and it talks, others are motivated to interact by talking or using this device too. Suddenly, children who may be non-verbal can be like others! The iPad also can be used to teach social skills in an interactive manner. Applications that contain social stories help my kids learn how to use good social skills! The iPad has thousands of applications that can be used for any and every aspect of speech and language therapy. I really think the iPad will help all my kids with autism not only communicate, but learn important language and academic skills.
Donations to this project will help 36 kids communicate, learn language and social skills, and help them develop important literacy knowledge.
The iPad will have a broad impact on how I can do therapy with my kids. It is such a motivating device that even children who lack the ability to attend, focus and interact with it! The difference it can make can be a way to open up a child's mind and heart to communicate. There is simply nothing else that parents want more!
Nearly all 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. Wilkens and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.