The video is a little dark, the best I could do at the time.
This is Dimitri trying the Look2learn application on the shiny new iPod.
I'm not saying anything as Dimitri is concentrating on working the touch screen, how to scroll, prompting would not have been helpful but would have been unwelcome. This app is working out easier for Dimitri as he has fine motor problems, with the other, Voice4u, the pictures and words appear as a list and it's easy to activate icons by mistake.
This is his first real go, I thought he did great! Lining up one photo in the middle was tricky, but as I said the pictures are big enough for it to be "do-able". With practice I think he should develop good skills for handling and using the device. As my husband pointed out this design works out similar to the way Dimitri goes through the pages of his PECS book.
Dimitri spotted straight away a picture in there for popcorn! Then of course caught on to the electrical appliances (rolling my eyes)
The difficulties are in going back to "files" and choosing the right file (I can change the pictures for these for it to make more sense to Dimitri). When I tried to help Dimitri return to files it was slow as he doesn't want help and doesn't take his fingers of the screen. He is also steadying the ipod with one finger which can accidentally cause him to exit the application.
With the Voice4u, this can be a problem as there are options for editing and deleting the pictures on screen all the time. With the look2learn, editing is turned on and off separately through the ipods "settings".
The Look2learn program is basic, it has a "I want" icon on screen with "select an image" underneath. It's not for complex language and it would be nice if there were options with different verbs, but, as a starting point it's great. If you are introducing "requesting" (or haven't progressed much beyond it like us) it's perfect. I think it's also good for those who don't have perfect fine motor skills.
This is very important, as an AAC or VOCA device, it should be promoting independent and spontaneous communication, . With the iPod, from what I can gather (will take advice of course), the complexity of the language also increases with the complexity or "fiddliness" of use and size of icon. Does that make sense?
Someone may have complex language but not have the motor skills to use smaller icons - that sounds better. Example, the "browse" and "categories" icons on Voice4u are tiny and not particularly meaningful to Dimitri, the edit button can be activated very easily.
Well, more to write and more to check (the proloquo2) but no time.
I'm enjoying the comments about the iPod and other AAC, it's good to hear what other people are trying and what you think about it.
15 comments:
Hi Emma -- That is very cool. I haven't seen that software. I like how visible the images are and the actual illustrations (are they illustrations, or photos?) are more life-like than some of the PCS ones.
Do you customize this with your own vocabulary -- or does it come with preset vocabulary?
I like how it pairs an item with "I want" so that the child can pair them up on one screen, vs. looking in multiple different folders for each of those 3 words (I want "object").
We're trying to figure out how to make the Proloquo2go less cumbersome in terms of having to move back and forth between multiple folders and pages to assemble one thought.
I wish I had a video camera so I could show you how Ben is using his. Look forward to hearing more on Dimitri's progress!
I'm very impressed with his fm skill in pointing, scrolling and pressing. I see how the scroll is much better suited on this program than the Voice4u, but having both you might be able to make use of them in different ways/circumstances.
Like the search for green idea I left earlier, perhaps while D is in some table top activity*, the screen can be set for a sentence or word requiring he learn the symbol and press it repeatedly. In other words, use V4u to learn new words or phrases and not to select among those available. I would expect some crossover vocabulary between the two programs. I know you can program V4u.
All very fascinating. Yesterday I discovered my Hubby actually has his work id on a retractable cord attached to his belt. *On a table top, I would look for a means to stabilize the device on the table.
Barbara
This is so helpful. I have been waffling big time about getting Charlie these apps for the iPod. Your notes about how one program has this or that features over others---as specially for children who have fine motor issues (Charlie has beautiful long fingers, and much trouble doing things with the tips of his fingers) ---this is the information guides never mention!
Does look2learn have things like emotions on it too, or are all the icons mostly for things--food, tv, etc.?
Are you going to get prologuo2go, I would love to know your reviews; haven't had time to sit down and sort it out. Also, I still have worries about Charlie, um, letting the device "fly"......
My son's school is doing a research on using the ipod for communication in association with the University of Toronto. Each class is getting 2 ipods and the teachers have been trained to use it. From what I learnt it is very easy to customize it and there are lots of programs for it. Very exciting stuff.
Came back with this:
http://www.communicationautism.com/index.php?pag=research
I can't think of a reason why other hand-parts can't be the point of contact with the touchscreen. When I demo'd V4u to another therapist yesterday I hit the screen with my knuckle. Barbara
Bloom - they are photos, also with a choice of male or female voice. They have a basic preset, all of which can be changed and added to (also I need to delete a few - so many sweet snacks rae included!!). I had to buy an external mic as it's an older version ipod, the sound quality isn't great but it works. This also means everything can be changed to a different language too of course!! (important for us).
I hope you can get a hold of a video camera, I would love to see how Ben is getting on with proloquo2go!!
TherExtras - you're right, the potential for using these as a teaching aid, as well as a communication aid is super!
Kristian - look to learn has emotions too (and photos not illustrations which I find better), it's the only thing it has other than requesting, although there is potential to add more I think. Still learning!
Proloquo looks a bit complicated at this point, will see how we go.
Nini -Hi! this research should be really helpful, can't wait to find out the results. It is exciting, it will open up aac/voca to a lot more people which is great!
Barbara - yup, should work with a knuckle too, and doesn't require strength to press buttons - this actually confused Dimitri in the beginning as he now has to learn to tap the screen lightly, he is used to pressing buttons with force and persistence:-)
Kristina - sorry for the spelling!
Which are less confusing?
Photos or illustrations?
And, yes! It can be changed from Greek to English and back.
These posts are so helpful Emma, considering that we're going to be going down the same road (hopefully) very soon. Thanks for keeping us up to date!
I was worried that I would not be able to figure out my son's iPod Touch and teach him how to use it because I fumble simple tasks on my cell phone - but he approaches it as he always has video games: work with it until you figure out all its secrets.
His older sister has been patient in giving me little suggestions and shortcuts, and the occasional hug to loosen me up. Sometimes I have to remind myself that when manageable communication devices were first invented, parents reported that their sons and daughters mostly used them to argue about bedtime being too early to see the best TV shows, etc. Luckily the very first communications were often "I love you, mom."
It's wonderful to find other parents talking about using these apps in everyday situations and to hope that I am not the only one slightly intimidated and short of the time I'd need to spend to be highly (ok, moderately) competent with the technology.
Jen - you're welcome:-).
Pamela Wilson - Hi! I like that you are getting advice from your elder daughter :-)
You're not alone, I'm very intimidated by these new devices. I guess I could say this experience is helping me get over my fears and I'm learning new things all the time!
Hoping I will be moderately competent with the iPod at some point...... sharing tips with other parents is extremely helpful.
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