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Category Archives: autism

Cases for iPads and iPad minis, which one for your kiddo, Griffin or Otterbox? Boy, let me tell you!

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I want to share our experiences with cases to save you guys some money as I know many of you are looking for that case that’s going to save your kiddo’s iPad, but which oneThe contenders seem to be the Griffin Survivor (or link for a black one) and the Otterbox, from what I have seen and heard.  They both claim to do a great job protecting against lots of wear and tear and both come with stands.

So, we bought a Griffin Survivor for our daughter’s new iPad mini, pictured above.   We have never had a Griffin before as we’ve always gone with Otterboxes.  The Griffin was cheaper on amazon, so we thought we’d give it a try.  We’re pretty disappointed in it.  The hard plastic shell that you put the iPad  in, is so much thinner than all the Otterboxes we have had.  The rubbery, plastic part that goes on the outside almost feels a bit thicker but there are flaps covering some of the holes that seem like they would break off easily.  One of the flaps covers the camera and you have to try to hold it back while you take a pic, which is a pain.  Then we get to the stand.  This is a must for my daughter, Abbey, with autism.  As you may be able to see in the picture, her Otterbox for her old iPad one in the background is duct taped.  After many new stands, we finally gave up and taped it.  I have seen the stands for the newer iPads and the iPad minis by Otterbox and they seem much stronger.  The stand for the Griffin is very weak and I think it props it up too high.  Also, the stand for the Otterbox also serves as a cover that snaps over the screen, when on the go, very important for putting Abbey’s iPad mini in her purse as she has no idea about being careful with it, that it could break.  All this to say, we’ll be getting an Otterbox for her iPad mini, as soon as we can!  Hope this helps and I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on cases, we can learn from each other!:)

P.S.  All of this goes for the cases for iPhones too!  We have always had Otterboxes and I bought a Griffin survivor for my son’s iPhone 4….not good.  The same with all of the above, plus the rubber that covers the power button at the top keeps pushing down on it on it’s own and trying to turn it off:(

 
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Posted by on January 5, 2013 in autism, Useful technology

 

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Abbey can Make Rice, using Proloquo2Go on her iPad mini! Wahoo, Go Abbey, Go!

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One of Abbey’s favorite foods is rice, so we decided that this may be a good place to start with teaching her how to cook.  I can’t believe how quickly she caught on once we put the steps on her iPad mini, using Proloquo2Go, her communicating app.  She is very visual!  I made a video so you can see her in action, it’s very exciting for us!!  Click on this link to watch…Abbey’s Video Making Rice.

The picture above is a screen shot, showing how I set it up.  I am using “List View”, using the app Proloquo2Go.  In the video, you will be able to see how I have it set under her ‘foods’ folder.  Most of her app is set up using “Grid View” but there are some really great uses for the “List View,” like this.  You’d use this for anything with steps, like a schedule, getting ready in the morning, etc..uses are endless, useful for whatever you may be working on with your child!

I’m so thankful for great technology and for great apps like this that help Abbey grow and learn!  And, I’m so proud of how hard Abbey works to learn what she needs to learn, it can be so much harder for our kids with autism, or other disabilities than kids without…..Our kids are so Brave!

 
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Posted by on January 5, 2013 in Apps, autism, Daily Life, Proloquo2Go

 

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Trailer for Abbey’s Year Video that is coming soon!

Click above for link.

Here is a movie trailer of the video I am making about Abbey’s year.  She had a great year and it’s a great way to look back and see how much she accomplished, especially all the exciting firsts!! Above is a picture of Abbey trying to smile for the camera for the first time!  She’s imitating me, but she actually tried!

It’s also really important when you are in the grind of every day, struggling, that you look back and see that all those days added up to some pretty great stuff!:)

 
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Posted by on January 3, 2013 in autism, Daily Life

 

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FREE App Today, Help Fine Motor Skils-Chalk Walk

Click On Link Above!
Help Kids with Autism with Fine Motor Issues and with Pincer Grip!!  And it’s FREE right now! For iPad only.  Please check the price before you download and make sure it is still free, free for a limited time!
Chalk Walk
“Introduce your kids to the first app to help children to develop the pincer grip needed at school. Many children are coming into school unable to properly hold a pencil. As time spent drawing on paper or coloring with crayons is swapped for screen time, key fine motor skills remain underdeveloped. But screen time can also solve the problem and prepare kids for the pencil-and-paper tasks they encounter in school. Mrs. Judd’s Games’ new app, CHALK WALK, is designed to fill in the blank: young hands get needed exercise as they use a thumb & finger pincer grip to play this fun, innovative, teacher-designed game.”

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_DSC0052Abbey’s Successes, many, many firsts!

Here is the link… Abbey’s Video

I had a dear friend request that I post this video, just click on the link above.  It is one I compiled of all of Abbey’s successes for the year, for 2011.  I will start working on 2012’s video soon.  It is like therapy for me to put this video together because days go by and it’s sometimes hard to notice some of the progress, until you look back and compile it into a year’s worth!  Hope you enjoy this video…you’ll see a few seconds of a huge meltdown, part of our year, but so many wonderful firsts for Abbey!!  Slowly, she’s finding her voice, she’s letting us in her world and becoming part of ours, she’s learning and growing!  Stay tuned for the next one!:)

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2013 in autism, Daily Life, Proloquo2Go

 

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Timer app, FREE for today only!

Visual timers are great for kids with autism.  There are many timer apps to choose from, this is an example..and it’s free today only.  This one is only for the iPad.  Please check price before you download, only free for a limited time!

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2013 in autism, Useful technology

 

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Story app, Pictello, helps Abbey learn and grow

Story app, Pictello, helps Abbey learn and grow

We use an app called Pictello to make stories for Abbey using pictures of her, her family and her world. These stories help her to look back on things she enjoyed in the hope she will remember from her experiences, help her learn about things that are hard for her and help her to learn about things she cannot do in a very non-threatening way. She loves them and looks at them almost every day…even the Going to the Dentist one!  This picture is just one page from her story called, “Abbey’s Christmas” which had learning pages like this and pages about things she enjoyed, like candy canes.:)  Abbey’s story about her trip to Disneyland is entered into a contest right now, please vote for her by picking how many stars you would like to give it, http://www.assistiveware.com/disneyland …Thank you!  The contest is a great way to check out all the stories people have entered, you can get some great ideas!  And, Picetllo is on sale, last day is TODAY!

 
 

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So, yes, it’s hard every year to pick out presents for Abbey.  She can’t go on Amazon and make a wish list like my other kids…yet.  So, sometimes we pick winners and sometimes we don’t.  Here are some great things that were definite winners this year!

First is a little hand massager.  We put this on her communicating app, as an option and she asks for this at bedtime.  It helps her relax.  (Picture is a link for it, it is a paid link:)

Next are see through blocks that nest and stack.  The ability to pick which size fits in which is an early math skill that Abbey still needs help with and she LOVES to look through transparent things with different colors, so 2 awesome features in one. Transparent Stacking Tower, link for it (paid link.)

And finally, Abbey loves squishies, I mean really loves squishy toys.  Our problem is, we go through them quickly as they pop and sometimes quite messily if they are filled with goo!  Here is a totally cool one that Abbey loves that will hold up!! (Picture is a link for it, it is a paid link:)

Hope this gives you guys some ideas!  Great to offer the pictures of these objects and have them ask for them, to work on communication too!

 
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Posted by on December 31, 2012 in autism, sensory, sensory toy

 

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Abbey discovers Christmas!

Abbey discovers Christmas!

Yes, our little girl has discovered the magic of Christmas! How many years did this take? MANY! Boy, is it worth it though, look at that huge grin!

 
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Posted by on December 30, 2012 in autism, Daily Life

 

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