Sign Language Help

Sign language is not simply for the deaf or mute. Sometimes it augments communication for those whose speech is limited.

We found that Macayla could use some signs to help communicate for a short time. She learned a version of the sign for "more" and that was helpful, especially when she wanted to play in the water. She would often sign "more" to let us know she did not wish to stop.

One helpful resource is ASLPro.com. It is free to use their website and they provide video demonstrations of the signs. They do accept donations to help keep this wonderful resource going.

Augmentative Communication for iPad & iPhone

We really wished we had learned more about aug com (augmentative communication) much sooner with Macayla. It would have helped her put some skills in place earlier while she still could. However, it did not make sense for us to have the very expensive computerized aug com systems with touch screens that was out at the time. Amazingly, Apple's iPad and iPhone have revolutionized the availability of this technology at a fraction of the cost.

iPads have larger and more accessible screens, but iPhones or iPod Touch work for those with the fine motor skills to manipulate items on their screens. (An iPod Touch is just like the iPhone minus the phone capability.) They all have built in cameras. The iPhone and iPad with cellular connectivity have the benefit of not needing a wifi network to access the internet. In other words, you can access the internet anywhere. The iPod needs to be connected to a network wirelessly. For the non-techies out there, this may sound a bit overwhelming, but these devices were designed by Apple to be intuitive and to think like we do. People who have never spent much time on computers figure these things out very quickly. Plus, when they are not in use for aug com, they have all the functions of a laptop. Email, web, word processing, photos, movies, calendar, music, etc.