Your donation Helps......
A few words from past recipients.
Dear Readers,
My name is Patti Diederich, and I work for Milwaukee Public Schools. I am a Special Education teacher, working with students who have Autism in grades four and five at 95th Street Elementary School. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a donated iPad from the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin and Steppin’ for Autism. Although there is so much more for me to learn, this device has already had a huge impact on my students. From academics to social skills and emotional-regulation support, the iPad is transforming my instruction and has enhanced student engagement.
While I do not have students who are nonverbal this year, I still see a positive impact on communication, whether social/emotional or academic. There is an app which allows us to create puppet shows, and by doing so, we have a new medium through which to role-play various social scenarios. My students can practice with their peers, and these interactions become less guided by me. We use certain apps to work toward understanding others’ emotions by looking at facial expressions. One of my students in particular uses the iPad to support his emotional regulation when his environment or circumstances are over-stimulating for him.
Academically, the iPad has great uses as well. I have been using apps which support student learning primarily in the areas of Writing and Math, but I have also used it in small groups for Reading by accessing the Internet from the iPad. I recently learned how to create my own QR codes, and can’t wait to give it a try!
To this point, the majority of the apps I have used are free. There are some great ones out there, and I receive tips from colleagues all the time. I could easily elaborate on what I’ve shared, and could share so much more! I am starting to feel that all students with autism should have an iPad to use at school, and could not be more appreciative of the generous gift I have received from the Autism Society! I use it every single day.
Yours Truly,
Patti Diederich
My name is Patti Diederich, and I work for Milwaukee Public Schools. I am a Special Education teacher, working with students who have Autism in grades four and five at 95th Street Elementary School. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a donated iPad from the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin and Steppin’ for Autism. Although there is so much more for me to learn, this device has already had a huge impact on my students. From academics to social skills and emotional-regulation support, the iPad is transforming my instruction and has enhanced student engagement.
While I do not have students who are nonverbal this year, I still see a positive impact on communication, whether social/emotional or academic. There is an app which allows us to create puppet shows, and by doing so, we have a new medium through which to role-play various social scenarios. My students can practice with their peers, and these interactions become less guided by me. We use certain apps to work toward understanding others’ emotions by looking at facial expressions. One of my students in particular uses the iPad to support his emotional regulation when his environment or circumstances are over-stimulating for him.
Academically, the iPad has great uses as well. I have been using apps which support student learning primarily in the areas of Writing and Math, but I have also used it in small groups for Reading by accessing the Internet from the iPad. I recently learned how to create my own QR codes, and can’t wait to give it a try!
To this point, the majority of the apps I have used are free. There are some great ones out there, and I receive tips from colleagues all the time. I could easily elaborate on what I’ve shared, and could share so much more! I am starting to feel that all students with autism should have an iPad to use at school, and could not be more appreciative of the generous gift I have received from the Autism Society! I use it every single day.
Yours Truly,
Patti Diederich
J. BECKLEY said: I want to thank Mykel, Homer Blow, and my brother Doc B. My son Eli was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. He has always enjoyed computer time, but he loves using his Ipad. He likes to work on puzzles and watch YouTube. But he often works on printing and tracing letters and numbers with the apps. Thank so much for giving my son a new tool to help him develope the skills so many of us take for granted. Joelyn Beckley
Proud mother!
Proud mother!
To whom it may concern:
Last year my son Rubyn and our family were blessed to received an iPad from Mykel and Deon Farr. After being surprised with such a wonderful gift, my son's school, our family, and Rubyn have benefitted from this. Apple is one of the few companies that have software made that can interact with the child, school, and can be transported to continue the learning at home and school. The software is expensive for the school and for families. So to receive one has helped Rubyn in tremendous ways.
Rubyn has Pervasive Developmantal Disorder often said to be PDD and is on the high end of the autism spectrum. He suffers from an extreme amount of sensory issues and basic work such as writing, using pencils, and the feel of paper on his skin can cause my son to break down and not get the learning he needs to become self sufficient. With the iPad he is able to talk responses as the ipad types, he can minimize the amount of items touching him because you are only using the finger tips. With the successes we started seeing with Rubyn the school has looked into buying more to use. Rubyn is currently at his grade level, reading level, and we still struggle with sensory but he has more successes than breakdowns now. The iPad has also made him stay up to speed with the other children. He has also found a new love of photography and editing. He taught himself through the iPad.
Apple also gives amazing classes to help further Rubyn's learning. Autism events such as STEPPIN for autism has been a true blessing to my family and is a great tool that can help families help their autistic child become more self sufficient and lead a more productive life. I am thankful for the Farr's for their generosity and commitment to the autistic community.
Sincerely,
Jameian Selmon
Last year my son Rubyn and our family were blessed to received an iPad from Mykel and Deon Farr. After being surprised with such a wonderful gift, my son's school, our family, and Rubyn have benefitted from this. Apple is one of the few companies that have software made that can interact with the child, school, and can be transported to continue the learning at home and school. The software is expensive for the school and for families. So to receive one has helped Rubyn in tremendous ways.
Rubyn has Pervasive Developmantal Disorder often said to be PDD and is on the high end of the autism spectrum. He suffers from an extreme amount of sensory issues and basic work such as writing, using pencils, and the feel of paper on his skin can cause my son to break down and not get the learning he needs to become self sufficient. With the iPad he is able to talk responses as the ipad types, he can minimize the amount of items touching him because you are only using the finger tips. With the successes we started seeing with Rubyn the school has looked into buying more to use. Rubyn is currently at his grade level, reading level, and we still struggle with sensory but he has more successes than breakdowns now. The iPad has also made him stay up to speed with the other children. He has also found a new love of photography and editing. He taught himself through the iPad.
Apple also gives amazing classes to help further Rubyn's learning. Autism events such as STEPPIN for autism has been a true blessing to my family and is a great tool that can help families help their autistic child become more self sufficient and lead a more productive life. I am thankful for the Farr's for their generosity and commitment to the autistic community.
Sincerely,
Jameian Selmon