iTracker is too cool!

I did a google search for an iSight eye tracking program last week and found iTracker. A sweet little program for the Mac (and PC) that is cheap ($30 for the Mac version) and runs quite well! It is lacking in a few functions, but according to the developer, they are adding them in the next release, but for basic head mouse users, or to just add to your tool box of things to have on hand it is quite functional and worthwhile to have on hand!
http://www.eyetwig.com/151141
Here is some video of me using it with Speaking Dynamically Pro on an iMac. Sorry for the poor quality!
More video of it in use with student soon.
"High-end" technology for the masses! Hurray!

Super Quick Post

First product using wide format printer:
I recently began working with a teenager with a traumatic brain injury and thought I would try an eye gaze board with her. I created this by modifying information I found at http://www.cogain.org/faq/eye-gaze-communication-board, printing it out 2x on 11x17 paper instead of modifying both pages, and cutting out the second copy and gluing it to the appropriate spots on the back of the first copy. I won't go into any more details about client for privacy reasons, but I think the board looks pretty cool! And my printer can print up to 13x19. Psych! It's what every living room needs. This is the printer I bought for $40 at the WB Mason warehouse!

What Kind Of Cat Are You?

As I was driving home this evening after visiting my son, I was listening to one of my favorite radio programs, the Playground on WERS (http://wers.org/music/The-Playground.cfm). WERS is available via the internet, I encourage you to tune in to their wide variety of music at all hours! The song "What Kind of Cat Are You?" by Billy Jonas came on and I began to think as I listened to the lyrics, this song would be a great starting point for a really cool Project Based Learning mini-lesson. So, I pondered for the rest of the drive, and I am now going to give you the link to Billy Jonas' web site where you can listen to the song and look at the lyrics, and some of my thoughts about activities and ways to use the song as a curriculum tool. I encourage you to think of more and post them back if you like!
http://www.billyjonas.com/index.php?page=cds&display=13
Click on song title to see lyrics.

Create your own what kind of CVC word are you song. Divide class into small diverse groups. Have them listen to the song and read the lyrics (or use text to speech) Print out lyrics in needed formats (large print, Braille, etc.) Have each group choose (or assign) a CVC word that has multiple opportunities for use in a "Cat Song." Have the students use dictionaries and encyclopedias both paper based and electronic to develop their own "Cat Song" which they will eventually record with Garage Band. Students who use AAC could use their devices to participate. Students who are more significantly involved could use a "Big Mac" or other communicator to lead the call part of the song and peers do the response for the recording. Extension activities could include vocabulary and writing activities with new words learned.

Mr. Potato Head

I am working with a preschool student who is very typical in many ways except speech production. She has a decent sign vocabulary and picked up communication symbols quickly. We began her on a Springboard Lite this spring. I was working with her last week and we were playing with Mr. Potato Head. I decided to model the use of the color page near the end of our session, and after showing her 1x, this is what she came up with, a couple miss hits, then, BAM! "I want blue shoes." Thus our Mr. Potato Head was complete with about 8 arms, 2 tongues, and 2 sets of blue shoes! (This was not a mistake, it was exactly what she wanted, she gives a false name when using the Springboard and thinks it's hysterical!)

There once was a young man named Sam,
Whose speech was like that of a clam,
So we got him a box,
With the name, Dynavox,
Now he’s a conversational Grand Slam!

I have been working with a SLP in our district to get a Dynavox for one of our high school students, and it finally came in last week. Sam had been using a laptop with Boardmaker Plus as a communication device while we waited for his device to come in. He is very proficient at locating vocabulary, expressing his needs, and had even begun to create his own boards. He is still working on creating longer sentences, staying on topic, and some of the finer points of conversation. I made a home visit to get the device set up and found that the family had already done a good job of setting up the device, but that the device had not shipped with Speaking Dynamically Pro. We made some initial changes and I gave them a brief rundown of the InterAACT software, but we decided to go ahead and try to get the device unlocked and put SDPro on the device as he was already well versed in its use, but to also try to use the existing software. I did a second home visit today to let them know that the unlock code was on the way and to try to merge his old boards while we were waiting. Sam brought the Dynavox out, and proudly showed me two new boards that he had programmed on his own based on printouts and manual boards from his old system! He used the “my picture” templates built in which we had briefly discussed on my first visit to make boards for his job at the aquarium! Can I just tell you I had goose bumps, I was teary, I was so excited that the family now thinks I am a total nut job! It had to be one of the most amazing moments in my career!
Just wanted to share!
eileen

Shout out!

To start with I would like to say “Congratulations, and great work!” to Sam Sennott and David Niemeijer at www.assistiveware.com for creating Proloquo2go which takes advantage of many of the iPhone and iPod touch’s advanced features, it totally rocks.

However, I would also like to give a huge SHOUT OUT to RJ Cooper who has been making Pocket PCs accessible for years and whose Point-to-Pictures Mobile software works on PDA devices running Windows Mobile 2003 or newer. He has an arrangement with the folks at Mayer-Johnson and has been able to license some of the most used symbols. His Mini-Auggie is also switch accessible. Half the time when you call for support RJ himself answers the phone. So if you have an old Pocket PC (not a Palm Pilot as he kept reminding me) hanging around, check out www.rjcooper.com . He has some great stuff for kids with a wide range of needs, but in particular for kids with low incidence disabilities.

How cool is it that we live in a day when we have so many potential options? I remember programming the WOLF and thinking it was the greatest thing going!

(image from hawaii.gov)

office supplies

I was doing some shopping the other day, shocking! I know! And came across these cool iPod Touch holders in the office supply store. They are actually a business card holder, desk organizer, and picture frame, but with a little imagination, and possibly some non-slip material, weights, and/or Velcro, make a nice stand for the Touch or other tools. All under $8. App shown is, of course, Proloquo2go which can be purchased at the iTunes app store.

Lost in the shuffle

I was co:treating a student with a Speech Therapist on Friday, and we were using a Tech Talk 8. The focus of sessions for this student for some time has been to get her to consistently recognize symbols, and to scan the array and make an appropriate choice. After several minutes of moving symbols around, recording, re-recording, etc. I was hit by a sudden flash of insight. NO, not make overlays and use levels, it takes me longer to slide an overlay into that tiny slot than to just move the symbols around! But that there was a tool on the market that would easily do what I was doing. In all the excitement over dynamic display communication devices these days, there have been a couple of really exciting new lower tech devices that have entered the market recently that haven't generated a lot of publicity. I had recently had the opportunity to meet Kevin from ProxTalker and see the Logan ProxTalker up close and personal. This cool tool fills the area between static devices, and dynamic display. Check it out when you get a chance at http://www.proxtalker.com/index.html. It's a little pricey, but a great concept for those kids who need voiced output, lots of words, but aren't quite ready for branching boards, etc.