For months at a time Jay would repeat the same sign language gestures, pace the floor and answer “yes” to every question the others students asked during his news time. We had the bowling birthday party news, the new baby news and the horseriding news. Via Teachers translation and some limited sign language, Jay eventually got his message across. But the frustration remained for both Jay and his teachers. He really needed something to transform his ability to communicate.
The news theme finally changed and for weeks the sign was “Dragon” and that was all……….nothing else, no other words or gestures or signs. What was this boy trying to tell us? It was around this time that a Speech Therapist suggested using Pro lo quoto go on the iPad to help Jay communicate effectively. After a few more weeks of instruction and personalising Jays iPad, the big day came, News Day!. That was the day that ICT’s transformed his ability to communicate his thoughts, his interests and his love of Smaug the dragon featuring in The Hobbit trilogy. Without the assistive technology Jay would continue to struggle, be marginalised from his peers and be silent in this busy,noisy, hectic world.
fionabudd2014 