A recent local newspaper headline read "Helping Autistic Kids Cope". The article outlined many new apps that assist students who are on the autism spectrum with everyday skills. These students need technology to assist them in their learning and daily living skills.
The PDD Therapeutic classroom is often referred to as the "last resort" in the public school setting.
Many students who end up in this classroom have been to many schools, some as many as 5 schools in 5 years (as a 5th grader). The students need structured routines and rigid expectations. They struggle with anger management, work completion, and social understanding. They become frustrated easily and struggle with the ability to express themselves. Currently, there are 6 students in the classroom ranging from grade 3 through grade 6.
My Project
There are many apps today for a variety of reasons. The students in my classroom struggle with understanding social cues and social situations. There is an app called "Model me going places" that shows video clips of children doing things, such as a field trip, so that the students will have an understanding of an upcoming unknown event and know how they will be expected to act. There is an app called "Bitsboard" which aids in both emotional and literacy enrichment. It allows students to learn in real life situations, which helps students to connect both to the academic material and visual cues. There are visual schedules to assist the students in knowing what to expect throughout the day, since often times the unknown causes extreme anxiety. There are "care circles" which connects all individuals who interact with the child to keep everyone on the same page regarding daily behaviors, medications, doctor reports, etc. Ipads can also be used as rewards and motivators.
Please help us assist our students in becoming socially aware and academically capable individuals!
We would like to excel beyond the classroom's reputation as "the classroom for the kids who don't quite fit anywhere else". We want everyone to succeed and achieve their highest potentials!
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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. Regan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
