I Phone for Autism and Other Resources

empower2go — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:20:24 +0000

: Autism and I Phone

By Amy Price PhD

I Phone has come up with a really decent app for non verbal people it is called Proloquo2go. This app is a bargain as similar technology is several thousand dollars and the IPhone has the ‘cool’ factor which would make other kids curious and increase socialization.

I think it would be very useful for all of us who travel to places we don’t speak the language as it uses pictures and comes with verbal support. In my house my husband decides we should go to a new country and then expects me to learn the language so he can get what he needs which is often something like a cell phone charger he left behind that is not even available in that country yet.

This is not so hard if the language has a similar alphabet but when the sign for the ladies room looks more like a drawing than a name it makes for an interesting journey!

Travel to places where I don’t speak the language well has given me understanding for non verbal people as it is very isolating to want to communicate but be stuck with language skills that even a resourceful three year old can top.

We sometimes work with people in resettlement and displaced person’s camps and communication skills are a must. I have taken palm pilots from the days of the first model available in with me to communicate with the children I think this tool has a great future!

The I Phone Apps store has text2speech .99, which will read text aloud. I converse helps communication by symbols 9.99 s and pictures can be added for assistive communication. Signing time ASL 4.99 teaches sign language with flash cards. Coin math 1.99 teaches how much coins are worth or for .99 you can learn or teach children common features of word families.

The wonderful ideas below are from a Speech Pathologists’s Blog She uses these with higher functioning students on Iphone or I Touch. Visit this blog for practical ideas on how to help people you know with language or developmental problems.

“Cute Math: adding and subtracting in entertaining animal and landscape scenes
Herod’s Lost Tomb: I Spy type of activities
Match: concentration activity with animal characters .PreSchool Adventure: activities for colors, body, matching, shapes, and sounds Word Magic: spelling game that involves choosing the missing letter BookShelf: eBook reader WordWhirl: using random letters to create multiple words”

There are lots of free apps too like maze finger and lumosity, children and adults alike love the touchscreen and ease of use and the phone can be strapped to an arm to prevent loss.

Travel with a Disability

empower2go — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Heightened airport security and serious luggage restrictions call for strategic measure for those in pursuit of spinal health. This section will cover tips and tricks that have worked for others. If you have an idea you would like to share please Click here to email

For long trips instant ice can be purchased at pharmacies, large discount stores or order online. These are disposable one use ice packs that are activated by squeezing them. If you have no grip strength, step on them or ask someone with working hands to activate them for you. Bring or buy epsom salts, they are an inexpensive way to ease stiffness. Just drop a handful into a hot bath and you are good to go!

An Electrical Accupuncture system such as ETPS is a great pain reliever. It will fit in hand luggage.

Transfer analgesic products like Bio-freeze into a small leak proof container. (empty hotel size shampoo containers work great) It is best not to try Zip Lock containers as these leak if the aircraft has air pressure variances plus TSA screening personnel have little respect for creative packaging and tend to confiscate them.

Forgot your neck pillow? Roll up a hotel hand towel and place it under your neck, letting the regular pillow take care of the rest of your head.

Need Fitness Options? Try a stretching work out with therabands. There are lots of good Yoga and Pilates DVDs available so a workout can be as close as your computer. If you miss the gym and the hotel gym is not great. Ask at the desk and you can usually find a gym that will let you be a guest for a small fee. If you belong to a chain of Gyms you can get privileges for other locations. If you stay where there is a pool you can bring portable swimming fins or resistance gloves to pack some power in your work out.

Want to jog or walk….ask the hotel staff where it is a good location and safe territory

Traumatic Brain Injury Centers » Travel Tips

I Phone for Autism and Other Resources

Travel with a Disability