[blindkid] IEP help for 11 year old

[Carlton Anne Cook Walker]

Hi,

Well, as an initial matter, I will echo Richard (Holloway)'s comments
regarding non-visual skills.

In addition, it sounds like you are completely on-target regarding the use
of the Dynavox equipment.  And the school is completely OFF-BASE limiting
its use to recreational purposes.  The Dynavox is an AAC device --
Augmentative and Alternative Communication device.  The key is
COMMUNICATION.  And your daughter's communication needs exist throughout her
day -- not just during recreational activity.  If possible, it might be
valuable to have an assistive technology specialist (especially one with a
great deal of experience in communication) evaluate your daughter.  This
evaluation may indicate the appropriateness and other uses of her current
device as well as possibly advocating additional or alternative technology
(such as a head switch, leg switch, or even gaze technology).  I know that
gaze might be useful for your daughter.  The key is that the technology
(like everything else) needs to be individualized to her -- her strengths,
her needs, her preferred activities, etc.


Other things to consider are the development of other senses, especially the
senses of sound and touch.  Tactual exploration and discrimination might be
worthwhile exploring.  Even if she has difficulty with fine moor movements,
some could be possible (such as placing different texture on different
switches to allow for multiple switch use and more complex communication).

On the auditory side, it would be great if she could control a book player.
Initially, it could be as simple as a switch to turn on a tape player.
Later, book playback devices (such as the Victor Reader ClassicX --
http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/learning_disabilities/_details/id_110/victor_reader_classicx.htmlat
) might be worthwhile to explore.


Another resource that may be useful is equipment available with Federal
Quota funds.  Federal Quota is funding available from the U.S. government to
purchase items for students who are legally blind or have a diagnosis of CVI
from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).  Your daughter should
be on the Federal Quota census.  Please do ask about this on Monday, because
the deadline for census sign up is approaching (in my state, the end of
January -- yours may have a different deadline).  You can peruse the
offerings that can be purchased with Federal Quota funds from one of the
catalogs downloadable from http://www.aph.org/catalogs/index.html#Products.



Hope this helps.  Please feel free to contact me with any
questions/concerns.


Carlton

-- 
Carlton Anne Cook Walker
213 North First Street
McConnellsburg, PA    17233
Voice: 717-658-9894
Twitter: braillemom