RATIONALE FOR TABLET USE  by Karina D. Barley

Imagine a school, just for one moment… where you walked into the door of the school….and the very first questionnaire would contain the questions: “What do you love to do?” What is your favorite thing in life? What are you good at? What would make you smile? How would life/school be if you could do the things that you love to do?

Imagine a school whose curriculum catered for those kinds of questions…and designed a pedagogical program that is individual to your child, based on the answers to those questions?



Teaching to Children's Strengths
It is then that we could abandon English, Math, Science, etc. in the way that it is taught now, where we just deliver buckets of information that has no relevance to kids. Alternatively, let’s say a child’s interest is cooking; what if we were to inspire them to want to learn for example they will want to learn to read because by reading they can gain more information from recipe books. They will want to learn about measurement because this knowledge will help them to become a better chef. They will want to learn about money because they will want to go shopping to purchase their ingredients. They will want to learn about science in the context of how cooking and science interrelate. They will want to learn to write, because they will want to write their own recipes. Just recently, there's a program called Master Junior Chef and everyone is amazed at how incredible the children are.  
The comments I hear are "can you believe those kids?" "Those kids are just brilliant".  "I can't believe they can cook like that."  The recipe (pardon the pun) really isn't that difficult to understand and while I don't want to take away from those amazing kids (because they really are amazing), but these kids are shining because they LOVE to cook; they LOVE to do what they are doing; and when children LOVE doing something, they WILL learn!!!  You don't have to ask them, or cajole them into it, they can't wait to get into the kitchen to cook; and to be a better cook, they will learn to read a recipe, learn the math required to get their recipes right; understand the science behind what makes recipes work, flavors taste better etc; and develop creativity in the way they present their food.  As I said above, it really is NOT difficult to comprehend and in my mind, this gives me a "recipe", a foundation, a platform from which educating children should stem from.  If we start with what they LOVE to do; the rest comes naturally. 

I personally believe that using technology can bridge the gaps for those children who are struggling, but also make learning easier for any child. These kids come to school ‘tech’ ready and digitally aware so it makes sense that we give 21st century children, learn using 21st Century technology. 

The last few weeks I've felt my client’s desperation.  It’s sometimes difficult for me to walk away without feeling like I need to do more.

Why?  A number of my clients have two or more children on the Spectrum and all of the parents I meet are struggling with lack of resources, funding and therapies.  Either they can’t find appropriate therapies, or they can’t find the funding to do the therapies once they find them.

Parents struggle enough – No one can even remotely pretend that Autism isn’t a tough gig.  While the journey can be infinitely rewarding, joyous and inspiring, walking that road can be tenuous, frustrating and exhausting.  It’s not so much that the children cause the frustration, but the major problems can be a system that can be roadblocks and brick walls to families being able to move forward.

Getting a diagnosis alone can take months and sometimes years of attending various the Doctors, therapists and organizations.  It costs a significant amount of money to pay for these practitioners.  An Autism Pediatrician (in Australia) can cost upwards of $450; Speech Therapists are upwards of $200 per hour; and Occupational Therapists are the same. While I have no problem with therapists needing to charge for their services; surely funding to pay for the diagnosis process should be mandatory.

Then parents have to struggle with finding the most appropriate services for their children.  In my role as a consultant I often attend Pediatrician visits and therapy visits and I’m dumbfounded that so-called Autism Specialist services don’t even have Autism friendly waiting rooms.

I’ve attended Pediatrician visits where the Specialist doesn’t even talk to the child, then of course the child misbehaves and the outcome of the visit is negative.  I’ve watched Parents try to tell Doctors and Therapists “my child doesn’t normally behave like this” and I see the Therapists/Doctors ignore the parent’s pleas.

I walk away NOT surprised at all, there has been NO connection, so the child with Autism is not going to behave well under these circumstances.  They are NOT going to show their ‘best’ to someone they don’t trust and has failed to even notice they exist.

I’ve told Doctors that I’ve witnessed our client doing ‘XYZ’… Only to be told that I must have a biased opinion.  Not only is that insult to my professionalism, but to my integrity.  In that moment, I feel a little of what parents feel every day.

One of the greatest gifts I can give to parents is to ‘get it’. To understand what they are experiencing, to understand their child; and to see what they see in their child.  I see parents faces light up when I recognize their children as more than just autistic.  They often resolve to tears when I say “oh your child is bright.  He has the ability to achieve; we just have to find what induces his desire to learn.”

There is NO ‘one size fits all’ solution to the problem that is Autism.  I think we need to spend less time on trying to finding a ‘cure’ and invest more energy spent into understanding the condition.  There is a saying that “if you know one child who has Autism, you know one child who has Autism”.  So this tells us NO child is the same, therefore NO one therapy or intervention will work for every child. 

One thing I believe Autism teaches us is the nature of individualism and uniqueness.  We just can’t put children in an “age” box, irrespective of whether they have Autism OR if they are neurotypical. 
All children learn differently[KB1] .  All children have different skills and abilities.  All children have different interests.  Being seven years old shouldn’t mean that the child goes straight into a typical curriculum for a seven year old.  Some children will learn visually, some by doing, some verbally and some emotionally.  Some children love Math and don’t like English; some love Science but don’t like Sport.  Doesn’t it make sense to create a differentiated curriculum to suite each child?

Does this idea make the job of the teacher harder?  Initially there will be more work and preparation to do, but ultimately if the child loves what they are learning, then behavior problems will diminish, motivation will increase, concentration will improve and children will WANT to attend school.

The principle is the same for children on the Spectrum.  I won’t even consider a program for my clients until I’ve observed them at least once.  We need to understand how these kids learn, what motivates them and what their sensory issues are.  Any program needs to be uniquely and individually tailored to that child.

So I’ve veered off the topic a little, but the truth is this is a huge, varied, and complicated topic.  There are so many issues to consider, but I want to return to my original purpose for writing this blog.

Parents with children on the Spectrum need our support.  They need our understanding and they need our awareness. We owe children this!  Not only because of the benefits to them individually, but we owe it to them because as a community, we will be better off when we understand the uniqueness that is Autism.

I view Autism through the eyes of potential and when I communicate that to parents I give them hope.  Let’s make the path easier by supporting faster diagnosis methods, funding for support and therapies, and funding for community, education and professional awareness programs.  In ten years we need these children to be shining with potential and productive, thriving members of society.  Then people like Temple Grandin and Carly Fleischmann won’t be so unique.  They’ll be a part of every community inspiring us all.

I came across this AMAZING group on Facebook and I encourage you to check them out. Not only do they raise awareness in a fun way (creating beautiful jewelry), but in doing so they are supporting children with Autism and helping them reach their potential with the gift of giving.
I am a strong advocate of iPads for Autism as I have seen first hand how this technology can allow children, of all abilities, to reach their potential and advance their learning skills in a way they never have before. AND their jewelry is SUPER fun and made with love. 
This is the description from their Facebook page:

It is the mission of The Puzzling Piece to raise Autism awareness, as well as help families that have been touched by Autism feel loved and supported through the gift of technology. The Puzzling Piece also honors those who help the children and families touched by Autism by making donations to Autism based non-profit organizations with each sale that is made. Through awareness and the efforts to place iPads in the hands of children, teachers and therapists the Puzzling Piece strives to enhance the lives of children and families touched by Autism.

Check out their website and Facebook Page with one small click of a button! 

I have recently come across some amazing organizations who are working towards making the world a more accepting one. Check out their Facebook Pages!!! 

Check out my new Slideshare for Autism Awareness Month - Learning styles of Individuals with Autism.
A presentation celebrating unique and awesome individuals who have Autism, raising awareness on their abilities and potential. 
For Teachers, Parents, Carers, people with the privileged of knowing someone with Autism, or people wanting to know more about Autism.

Project Autism will be celebrating Autism Awareness Month with the launch of THREE new Autism Courses.
Stay tuned to this website, and Digital Learning Tree for further information! 

• Strategies for Using the iPad with Students who have Autism
• Benefits of Using Technology for the Learner with Autism
  
• The iPad as an Augmentative Communication Device
  
  

My website is now currently updated and reflecting the way my work has evolved over the last few years. As you all know I have been creating a lot of online courses available through Digital Learning Tree, University of North Dakota, and available for university credits through University of the Pacific. 
I have also partnered with Teacher Training Australia, creating a number of Professional Development courses available to teachers/educators in Australia. 
The courses I have written are  iPads to teach K-12 Common Core Standards, guiding teachers to successfully implement and integrate this new technology into the curriculum and classroom, then that evolved into a course for using Androids to teach K-12 Common Core Standards. Must have Apps for the Classroom came next, as did my work on Autism Awareness, and iPads for Autism. 
You can get a preview of these online courses from the Digital Learning Tree, or from my website "Further Reading and Resources", which will take you my Powerpoint Presentations on Slideshare. 
I hope to aid teachers to successfully use these tools in the classroom as an educational tool, furthering their professional development, and in turn skyrocketing their students access to unique, engaging and creative ways of learning.