Communication

It is always fascinating to me to analyze a task that we do automatically, without conscious thought, and to realize it's complexity. Breaking it down and then enabling someone who is challenged in that area, to be able to accomplish it is the exciting science of teaching.
Last week's class on communcation was an example of this. It was exciting to see the possibilities that Assistive Technology can provide in enabling individuals with communication challenges to convey their needs, their ideas, feelings and any other information to others., for example, the story of Ben's blossomming through interactions with his peers using the I Phone.

I have been wondering how we can use this very cool tool for the many students who have a challenge in written communication. If we can find a way to clear away some of the hurdles these students face to create written products and share their uniques ideas with others, it would be awesome. I recall one of my students who had received and I Touch phonefor Christmas, and although his written output was almost nil, in a very short time he could text message volumes! Being phonologically challenged, not needing to use vowels, this new written language was ideal! Could he do his written communication on his I Phone to be translated into text which can then be edited? I would like to hear from others how severely ADHD students who cannot do written work or work on the computer without being totally distracted, could use this engaging medium.

The video, "In My Language" by the young women with very involved Autism, changed my paradigm on stimming behaviour from seeing it as a mindless sensory activity to their way of interacting and communicating with their environment. It is a different way of interacting with the environment than I have, but as valid. I think this is a very important video for people to experience . I believe when we see things differently, from another's perspective, our behaviour changes. To truly be an inclusive society, where we embrace differences, care for one another and appreciate the contribution of each individual, we need to share these kinds of communications.