DynaMicDuos 1999 Archive

Digest 0, originally sent Wed Apr 28 07:55:50 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Intentions From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 20:44:25 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Intentions Hi, I'm Pam Harris. My son Josh, age 10, has been using a DynaVox product since late 1992. (DigiVox, and now DynaMyte and DynaVox Systems software on a Mac powerbook) I started this list to provide a forum to share pages, strategies and concerns. The list will only be effective if subscribers share and respond with others. Please participate in the list and let others know about it. I know that my son Josh will benefit from the information that I learn from this list. Thank you for your time. Your friend, Pam Harris List Mom Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Digest 1, originally sent Thu Apr 29 08:07:33 1999 There are 4 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Intro From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx 2. Re: Intro From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 3. Dynamyte insurance From: "Heidi Smith Erspamer" <heidiho@xxx.xxxxxx.xxxx 4. Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 10:40:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Subject: Intro Hello to all! Since this is a new list, I thought I would introduce myself. My name is Liz and my son is Joey. Joey is 9 years old and likes books, music, swings, the computer and his passion is his video collection and watching videos. He has a wonderful sense of humor, loves to laugh and knows how to relish the moment! He is a joy and a challenge and a pretty great kid! Joey uses a DynaMyte, but has only used it for about 5 days. Previously, he used a Dynavox, Digivox, Hawk, Macaw and his first device was a hellish, dinasaur called a DAC. Joey has really taken to the DynaMyte and I believe it is going to benefit him in many ways. He will also be getting a laptop in the near future that will run the Dynavox software. In addition, we use many low tech devices around our home as well as picture exchange.I am happy to be part of a list where I can network and exchange ideas with others using similiar systems. Sincerely, Liz Petruzzi, PROUD mom to Joey, 9, also a BEAUTIFUL daughter, Sarah, 3 in Thailand, wife of Mark S.FL USA lizpet@xxxxx.xxx

Message: 2 Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 16:06:31 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Intro In a message dated 4/28/99 10:37:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time, lizpet@xxxxx.xxx writes:

<< Joey uses a DynaMyte, but has only used it for about 5 days. Previously, he used a Dynavox, Digivox, Hawk, Macaw and his first device was a hellish, dinasaur called a DAC.> Hi Liz and welcome, Boy has Joey had some experience with aug com devices! I have NEVER heard of a DAC. How did it work? Liz, I was wondering if you (or anyone else reading this) could share any ideas about writing Joey's device into his IEP. My son Josh's ( age 10 and uses a DynaMyte and DynaVox system software on a Mac powerbook) annual review is the last of week of May and we sure could use some fresh ideas. Josh receives his special education services in a regular classroom, next year, 4th grade. He does come out of the class for some speech and Resource time. Any ideas would be helpful. If anyone else has anything to add about IEP's, I'm listening. : ) Pam Harris

Message: 3 Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 15:48:12 -0500 From: "Heidi Smith Erspamer" <heidiho@xxx.xxxxxx.xxxx Subject: Dynamyte insurance Just a quick question as I look outside and see my son's dynamyte laying on the grass---am I supposed to insure these things in any special way??? Are they covered under household insurance or do I need a special rider? Will introduce myself later---we're out the door for an out of town conference--- Thanks, Pam for getting this list started!!!!! Heidi

Message: 4 Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 21:10:45 EDT From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx In a message dated 4/28/99 5:14:39 PM Pacific Daylight Time, DynaMicDuos-owner@xxxxxxx.xxx writes:

<< Please introduce yourself and share a little about your experiences with a DynaVox device. It would be great if you would tell us a really cool programming idea. If you've got a concern or a question, please, jump right in and post it. Again, welcome to the DynaMic Duos! >>

Hi, guys! This is Shelley, Pam's daughter. : ) I'm sure most everyone here knows me, or at least of me. <g> Bit about me--I'm nearly 18 (less than 2 weeks!), addicted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the X-Files, love to read and write, and I spend an inordinate time on the internet. LOL I have my own site on the net. The new one (that I spend the hours on. LOL) won't be of interest unless you like fan fic, but I put this up on my old page: <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/querida16/disbib.html">Disabilities Bibliography</A> It hasn't been updated since I put it up, but I think some of you will be interested in it. : ) I don't have any really cool programming ideas--I can do the basics and stuff, and my real area of expertise is the song editor. <g> I do all of Josh's songs. (Can we all sing "My Heart Will Go On"? Josh can!) Love, Shelley

Digest 2, originally sent Fri Apr 30 08:36:13 1999 There are 5 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx From: Ray Kopp <rjkopp@xxx.xxxx 2. Re: insurance From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 3. Re: insurance From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx 4. Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx 5. Re: Intro From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 10:03:49 -0400 From: Ray Kopp <rjkopp@xxx.xxx> Subject: Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx A short intro, Many of you may know me from the Autism list. Shawna is my daughter and she is 16. Back from about 3rd grade to 5th grade she used FC then she decided to stop that. Since that time she's tried a lot of devices. The trend has been away from FC based ideas more to Augmentative devices. Unfortunately none seemed to have peaked her interest, some of the reasons I believe have to do with the fact that Shawna, while being autistic is also quite touch sensitive and does not have real good fine motor control. Her touches to the screen are hard and jabbing. I really feel that this is a problem for her, some people make light of this, but they have offered nothing that makes it work, so I still think the problem is touch control. We are trying to work on a number of things to alleviate this, one person mentioned a koosh ball you can hold in your hand with little pointer like things out of it, their daughter used this and in fact thought it up themself. Another person mentioned rubber fingers like office people use. I'm going to try this, if I can get her to wear one, I suspect she may resist wearing it, she hates rings, bracelets or any kind of jewelry other than occasionally a necklace. Doesn't like the feeling I suspect. Another thing I tried and may try again is the pencil erasers. I could only find one of those plastic ones which have an eraser at one end and a plastic cap at the other. I think perhaps a typewriter eraser pencil and sharpened at both ends may work out better. The eraser could absorb the impact. Got to find one! Someone else puts one of these or a stick through a small palm sized ball. So we've got a few things to try. At home she really hasn't shown a lot of interest in the computer. Or at least she may start off interested but then loses interest quickly. She seems to be a little more interested right now so I'm trying to go slower with letting her get used to working with it and learn about cause and effect. She also can do it independently but often wants us to support her as in FC. My concern is I don't do FC well and I'd rather see her build the independence, I think she is capable of it, if we give her the right tool. I mention FC just for history, do not wish to discuss it's validity or start anything here. I'm a believer and that's not going to change. So that's our story! -- Ray Kopp Syracuse, New York email mailto:rjkopp@xxxxxxx.xxx.xxx Home Page: http://web.syr.edu/~rjkopp

Message: 2 Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 11:08:34 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: insurance Hi Heidi, Welcome. When we purchased Josh's DynaMyte, we also purchased the extended warranty policy, DynaCare. We purchased four years of coverage which when added to the automatic one year with all new devices, gave us 5 years of "peace" of mind. In addition, we notified our homeowner's insurance agent. We added a rider to our homeowner's policy, listing the device as durable medical equipment. My husband had to actually bring the device to the agent's office in order to clearly explain what it is and how it is used. The rider is quite minimal, I believe $30 dollars or so a year but it gave us increased comfort. Now the DynaMyte is fully protected and it is much easier to give our very active son complete access at all times. : ) Anyone else insure their device? I am curious if some have their school district's maintain any coverage? Pam Harris Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 3 Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 14:01:40 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: insurance Hi Pam, We have never carried insurance on any of Joey's devices, including the Dynavox which we own. If the device is mentioned in the IEP , then the school district is responsible for maintaining and/or repairing the device as needed. They must also provide an alternate device while their primary is being repaired. Joey's device has been in for repairs 5 times in the last year and a half. The district has paid for all costs including shipping and provided another device. Although they are legally obligated to maintain/repair the device, for me it would depend on my school district. I would not want to be in the position of my child not having a device due to a needed repair, no insurance and having to go to due process because the school district is refusing to pay. The repairs are almost always costly. I think our cheapest to date was $180.00 for a new battery. Most run $800.00 and up. (that's been our experience) Maybe feel out the tech person in your district? The revised IDEA also speaks to assistive technology...our district is well aware of their responsibilities but I know that's not always the case. Liz Petruzzi, PROUD mom of Joey, 9, a BEAUTIFUL daughter, Sarah, 3, in Thailand and dh, Mark S.FL USA lizpet@xxxxx.xxx --- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote: From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Hi Heidi, Welcome. When we purchased Josh's DynaMyte, we also purchased the extended warranty policy, DynaCare. We purchased four years of coverage which when added to the automatic one year with all new devices, gave us 5 years of "peace" of mind. In addition, we notified our homeowner's insurance agent. We added a rider to our homeowner's policy, listing the device as durable medical equipment. My husband had to actually bring the device to the agent's office in order to clearly explain what it is and how it is used. The rider is quite minimal, I believe $30 dollars or so a year but it gave us increased comfort. Now the DynaMyte is fully protected and it is much easier to give our very active son complete access at all times. : ) Anyone else insure their device? I am curious if some have their school district's maintain any coverage? Pam Harris Pjh1443@xxx.xxx ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 4 Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 14:11:34 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx Hi Shelley, Your mom is fast becoming one of my favorite people on earth! That is cool about the song manager...haven't tackled that one yet. Joey has had his Dynamyte less than a week. I've been programming up a storm but am leaving the song manager stuff for last. I haven't looked at it at all, but I'm a bit intimidated. I have a programming idea, but no idea (yet) how to get it done. I know it's doable. The idea is this...to have a money pop up calculator. The buttons would be coins and dollar bills. When you push them the amounts would show up. So if you pushed a Quarter plus another Quarter it would come up with $ .50. Then it could also keep a running total. One example on how to use it would be if you were shopping and wanted to keep track of what you are spending, you could enter it and this calculator could keep a running total. It would also have applications for school, etc. I'm thinking it could be part of a store page in the form of a money link button. Anyway, I haven't tackled that either but I will! I just have so much to program right now, as I'm starting from scratch. It's making me appreciate all that I did on Joey's Dynavox!! :o) Good to hear from you, Take care, Liz Petruzzi --- Emrald11@xxx.xxx wrote: From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx In a message dated 4/28/99 5:14:39 PM Pacific Daylight Time, DynaMicDuos-owner@xxxxxxx.xxx writes:

Hi, guys! This is Shelley, Pam's daughter. : ) I'm sure most everyone here knows me, or at least of me. <g> Bit about me--I'm nearly 18 (less than 2 weeks!), addicted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the X-Files, love to read and write, and I spend an inordinate time on the internet. LOL I have my own site on the net. The new one (that I spend the hours on. LOL) won't be of interest unless you like fan fic, but I put this up on my old page: <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/querida16/disbib.html">Disabilities Bibliography </A> It hasn't been updated since I put it up, but I think some of you will be interested in it. : ) I don't have any really cool programming ideas--I can do the basics and stuff, and my real area of expertise is the song editor. <g> I do all of Josh's songs. (Can we all sing "My Heart Will Go On"? Josh can!) Love, Shelley

Message: 5 Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 14:20:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: Intro Hi Pam, Well, it's me again! Re: IEPs and aug. communication.... I have it embedded in Joey's IEP, it's not in any one place. He also has a page totally devoted to his aug. device showing the goals and objectives directly related to his Dynamyte. For example, on his communciation page, he has goals and objectives about using his device to comment and question, use spontaneously in a conversation, greet peers and adults, etc. In other pages, like Math, he has goals and objectives like, Joey will use his Dynavox to participate in group lesson, expand his calculator skills, etc. I make sure it's THERE written specifically and embedded throughout his IEP. What that looks like will vary from child to child as it should be appropriate and individualized for your child. Ask yourself, how you would like to see your child use his device at school? What skills does he/she need to learn in order to communicate more effectively? Hope that helps. Liz Petruzzi --- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote: From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx In a message dated 4/28/99 10:37:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time, lizpet@xxxxx.xxx writes:

Digest 3, originally sent Sun May 2 07:40:53 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Intentions From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 1 May 1999 10:48:38 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: Intentions Hi Pam, I think this list is a great idea and wonderful opportunity to network with others. I hope to get ideas from others that share programming ideas and creative ways they've used their devices. Are there any members who are the ones using the aumentative device? I'm going to program my son's device so we can play "I spy" in the car. Thanks, Pam for making this list a reality. Liz P. S.FL USA lizpet @yahoo.com --- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote: From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Hi, I'm Pam Harris. My son Josh, age 10, has been using a DynaVox product since late 1992. (DigiVox, and now DynaMyte and DynaVox Systems software on a Mac powerbook) I started this list to provide a forum to share pages, strategies and concerns. The list will only be effective if subscribers share and respond with others. Please participate in the list and let others know about it. I know that my son Josh will benefit from the information that I learn from this list. Thank you for your time. Your friend, Pam Harris List Mom Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Digest 4, originally sent Tue May 4 08:20:24 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Intentions From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 10:30:58 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Intentions Oh Liz, Please tell me how you are going to program Joey's DynaMyte to play "I Spy" in the car! Josh and I spend time each day in the car together and I would love to engage him in a game like that. What a terrific idea! Pam Harris

Digest 5, originally sent Thu May 6 09:14:42 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Intro From: WKKP@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 20:53:42 EDT From: WKKP@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Intro Liz, hi , its wendy from Rockford. My son is 5. thanks for the ideas about goals on the IEP. I need more, got any? Hurry if possible I have an IEP meeting in a week. Thanks to Pam - the woman with endless gifts. How do you maintain such a positive attitude? You are great.

Digest 6, originally sent Fri May 7 09:12:28 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Intro From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 13:33:07 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: Intro Hi Wendy, I'd be happy to talk with you about IEP goals. Can you give me some ideas about what you're looking for? You can e-mail me privately if that's more comfortable for you. lizpet@xxxxx.xxx I second your thoughts on Pam, the woman with endless gifts and an open heart. :0) Liz S.FL --- WKKP@xxx.xxx wrote: From: WKKP@xxx.xxx Liz, hi , its wendy from Rockford. My son is 5. thanks for the ideas about goals on the IEP. I need more, got any? Hurry if possible I have an IEP meeting in a week. Thanks to Pam - the woman with endless gifts. How do you maintain such a positive attitude? You are great.

Digest 7, originally sent Sat May 8 08:22:44 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. IEP goals LONG From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 7 May 1999 14:25:16 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: IEP goals LONG Hi all, We are in the midst of planning for Josh's annual review. At our last team meeting on Tuesday, some really great ideas were drafted for the IEP, I'll share some of them. Remember, Josh is 10 and has been using an aug com device for almost 7 years. He uses a laptop with DynaVox Software for academic communication at school and his DynaMyte for social and at home communication. He has access to his DynaMyte at ALL times at school, but all academic/school stuff is on the laptop. Josh will share information about what he has read ( liked it, didn't like, favorite passage, etc.) Answer comprehension questions Identify main idea; characters; plot; setting; problem and solution Write a minimum of two connected sentences daily in a Journal Program "School News" daily Ask and answer questions daily both in and out of class about school-related topics with adults and peers Prepare and present information to an audience at least once a month Include adjectives, adverbs, past and future tenses in his writing Expand on DynaVox Systems editing commands for cursor control in the message window, editing in the message window, and saving messages to a button Expand on DynaVox Systems command buttons for communication options (specifically Chat Mode) Use an introduction strategy Increase his use of non-obligatory turns in discussions Use partner-focused questions There are more but this has already gotten kinda long. I hope there are some questions. : ) I can also provide IEP information from previous years that led up to these goals. Just ask. Hope all is well with everyone. Pam Harris Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Digest 8, originally sent Mon May 10 06:49:34 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. IEP goals Kindergarten From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 14:00:28 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: IEP goals Kindergarten Hi all, I had a request for Josh's communication goals from KINDERGARTEN! (Just for you Wendy!) : ) So, it was into the file cabinet, reaching way into the back and pulling out the stuff from Kindergarten. It was neat to review this stuff, thanks for the request. Here goes: 1. Josh will ask permission ("may I play computer?" etc.) All of Josh's

Messages were visible on the button to encourage his literacy skills.

Messages changed per Josh's preferences and the activities provided in the K room. According to the progress reports, Josh met this objective quickly. 2.Josh will share information. This was the year we began "Home News" and "School News". Each day during opening, the teacher would ask if anyone had "Any news to share". Josh would share his home news. 3. Josh will initiate communication. This was important because Josh was initiating by physically taking a peer or teacher by the hand. Not always an appropriate thing to do. So a variety of messages were programmed, modeled and implemented. "Wanna do this with me?" "Come here, please." "I want to show you something." "Wanna see what I did?". 4. Josh will answer questions. Specifically this meant that Josh had the answers available. The teacher would ask, "What is the weather today?" or "What letter is this?" and Josh would respond. The progress reports indicate that Josh continued to need more support to answer peers' questions. 5. Josh will increase multi-turn interactions. In K, Josh would select a peer and spend free play time on the class computer, taking turns. Messages used were, "My turn". "Your turn". 6. Josh will demonstrate his knowledge of concepts. Kinda the same thing as answering questions but this was a specific academic goal. Josh was asked to identify numbers and letters. And as the year progressed, he was expected to identify words by recognition and then at the end of the year, Josh was doing simple spelling. 7. Josh will express feelings. Progress reports indicate that Josh readily expressed positive feelings, "This is fun." "I like it". The team then began to focus on supporting Josh to express negative feelings. The reports indicate that by the end of the year Josh was using messages, "I don't like it." "This is hard." and "I'm mad". Apparently, the team felt that Josh was less frustrated when he began to express his negative feelings. That's it. Hope this helps. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Pam Harris Pjh1443@xxx.xxx There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Intentions From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx Message: 1 Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 06:21:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxxSubject: Re: IntentionsHi Pam,SORRY it's taken me so long to reply!! I won't bore you with excuses.:0) We programmed "I spy with my little eye" (message window, "I spysomething", symbol of an eye) Then we have colors, some common objectshe might choose, one button says "it's in the van", we have adictionary link on the page so he has a way to access more choices andthen some comments like "No Way!" "You cheated!" "Let's Play again" "I won!" "You're turn!" etc.We "tested" it by taking turns playing (my dh and I) the "user"couldn't speak at all and had to use the Dynamyte. In this way we wereable to plug "holes" in the programming and make sure we could actuallyuse the Dynamyte to play I spy.We still aren't using it in the car yet. We're playing inside as weteach Joey the game. He's getting it. Once he really has it down,we'll start playing in the car. I didn't want to hit a tree as I tryto teach him!Let me know how it goes if you decide to try it!Liz P., PROUD mom to Joey, 9 and mom of a BEAUTIFUL daughter, Sarah 3(coming home from Thailand in Oct.), and dh, MarkS.FL USAlizpet@xxxxx.xxx --- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote:> From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx> > Oh Liz,> Please tell me how you are going to program Joey's> DynaMyte to play "I Spy" > in the car! Josh and I spend time each day in the> car together and I would > love to engage him in a game like that. What a> terrific idea! > Pam Harris> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------> Looking for the perfect gift for a friend?> http://www.onelist.com> Tell them about ONElist's 130,000 free e-mail> communities!>

Digest 10, originally sent Thu May 13 07:25:04 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. DynamicDuos! From: "David L. Bennett" <dlbennett@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 08:48:26 -0500 From: "David L. Bennett" <dlbennett@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx Subject: DynamicDuos! HI! My name is David and I am a manufacture representative of DynaVox Systems. I am very proud of the accomplishments of DynaMic Duos! Only a year and half ago, a group of ten parents within the Chicagoland Area who have children using DynaVox Systems, arranged to meet and share ideas about their communication devices. The results of this initial dialogue has created a platform for which Parents, Family Members, and Professionals can together share and learn ideas for building effective communication with their DynaVox Systems. Today, the membership of DynaMic Duos Chicago Chapter is approximately 100 persons! Our dialogue continues in arranged meetings, presentations, and newsletter! AND NOW, these parents have chosen to expand their horizons to include all of YOU with the introduction of the DynaMic Duos List Serve! DynaMic Duos continues to recognize that meaningful participation is built through sharing and learning together! I look forward to your comments! Dynamically, David

Digest 11, originally sent Tue May 25 08:23:29 1999 There are 4 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Intro From: WKKP@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Intro From: WKKP@xxx.xxx 3. Re: carrying the device From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 4. Re: carrying the device From: WKKP@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 09:49:32 EDT From: WKKP@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Intro Hi all, I have a 5 year old with autism and I'm looking for ways to illustrate to him that something happened "by accident" Right now we have some great emerging use of the dynamyte (we just got about 5 months ago), but its those spontaneous moments that just get me. Also, any suggestions to parents of kids with autism: How or when did you ask your child to begin carrying the dynamyte him/herself? He carries it once in a while but I dont want him to get angry about having to lug it. Also, do you really carry it everywhere? How did you get yourself in the mindset? I know I need to be consistent but sometimes I need two hands and when i put it down...I dont pick it up. Cool Report: There's a song by Jim Gill (a children's folk singer) Who made this song "May There Always Be Sunshine" and we listed all the visuals in the song on a page...i sing the song but Quinn hits the buttons when its his turn to chime in! This is a GREAT accomplishment for my son!

Message: 2 Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 09:52:53 EDT From: WKKP@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Intro Suggestions to makers of the Dyna syms: Would you consider creating the following symbols: Hash brown patty (MCds) ice cream sundae ice cream sandwich nacho chips nachos hair cut cheese fries Ive made my own....but for future users? Thanks.

Message: 3 Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 12:15:55 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: carrying the device In a message dated 5/24/99 6:50:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time, WKKP@xxx.xxx writes:

<< How or when did you ask your child to begin carrying the dynamyte him/herself? He carries it once in a while but I dont want him to get angry about having to lug it. Also, do you really carry it everywhere? > Hi Wendy, Welcome to the list. It's been a bit quiet lately and I need to take some of the responsibility. We are moving on June 2nd and the 24 hours in a day just hasn't been enough for me lately. I pledge to begin to share really cool links as well as transcribe a variety of relevant articles just as soon as the move is complete. The telephone company is the first scheduled service call, literally one hour after we close, and they will be putting in our dedicated data line and boom, I'm there online. : ) (Those who have moved are probably thinking, "Oh, yeah, Pam, right. " But the effort will be made. Now, to the subject . . . Josh does not carry his DynaMyte. It is something we will work on this summer. It is ALWAYS with him, WHERE EVER he goes. Our mindset? Hmmm, not sure but good question. We purchased a camera strap for the DynaMyte as soon as it came. Those of us who carry it for Josh wear it around our necks, keeping both hands free. The DynaMyte then is at Josh's level as it hangs facing him for communication when it's needed. Hope this helps. Hey guys, as list moderator, I know that there are a growing number of you out there lurking. Please jump in and introduce yourselves. : ) Gotta run, these empty boxes are waiting for me. Pam Harris (Mother to Josh, age 10 and uses a DynaMyte, and just as a side note, mother of Shelley, age 18 and high school grad on June 13th, who by the way is accepted into the University of Illinois at Urbana in the Speech Pathology program and will begin her freshman year in August! )

Message: 4 Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 21:05:25 EDT From: WKKP@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: carrying the device thanks pam for responding! Another symbol neeeded - swimming pool! How about climbing equipment at indoor playgrounds?

Digest 12, originally sent Sat May 29 07:41:44 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. New list From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 22:40:53 EDT From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx Subject: New list Hi, everyone! I just started a new list over at onelist, called SpecialSibs. It's for all siblings who have a brother or sister with a disability. So, if you have a kid who's interested, or know of someone, pass this on! All I ask is that it's sibling ONLY, no parents. Just go to www.onelist.com/subscribe/SpecialSibs I'm pretty sure that's the addy. <g> If not, go to www.onelist.com and search for Special Sibs. You'll land in the same place. Thanks! Shelley

Digest 13, originally sent Sat Jun 5 07:19:41 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. why so quiet? From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1999 21:59:09 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: why so quiet? Hi all, I really need some help here. We moved yesterday and I need a day or two to empty some of these boxes. As list moderator I receive a notification of subscriptions and I know that almost every day someone is subscribing to this list. PLEASE consider introducing yourself and tell us a little of your story. I know we all have one. : ) Pam Harris

Digest 14, originally sent Sun Jun 6 03:11:25 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Introducing Tory and myself From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 5 Jun 1999 09:30:27 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Introducing Tory and myself Hi, I was so glad to see in the newsletter that this list had been started! I have gotten wonderful support over the past couple of years from the apraxia-kids list and am so glad to see one for this purpose. My name is Betsy, my husband is Paul, we have two daughters. Beth is just finishing 1st grade and Tory is 5 and will go to kindergarten next year. We have no overall diagnosis for her, but she has a small head circumference and a collection of developmental delays of which speech has always been the worst. She has a diagnosis of speech apraxia, which is primarily a motor planning problem. After 4 years of speech therapy, she still has very little verbal speech (hi, bye, yeah, no, Mom, water, and a collection of animal noises). Two years ago when she was 3, a developmental pediatrician recommended we look at augmentative communication. When we asked her SLP at DuPage Easter Seal, she said she'd been thinking about that too. So we started a process of trying out picture symbols and devices, selected a DynaMyte, began working through the insurance process, and got hers late last summer. I had to rapidly reassess how much she would be able to do with the system. Visual discrimination is one of her strengths, and she has some fine motor issues but they don't interfere with selecting even small buttons. The early pages I programmed were like the ones on the old DynaVox she'd been using in sessions at Easter Seal, 12 large buttons per page, using the direct verbal output rather than the message window, and navigating via "go back" buttons. Then I started putting more stuff on a page. Then I put back the message window, and she learned how to use it and a "clear" button. Then I learned how to build a navigational popup for a menu. Now she has a master page design with 30 buttons per page, similar to the sample "child" user. The bottom row has clear and backspace buttons and her menu link, plus two popups for "comments" and "social". We are currently working on her learning to use the comments and social popups flexibly and interactively, and on building 2- and 3-word sentences (and longer, soon) from programmed words rather than preprogramming everything in sentences. Gotta run, the kids are up and want breakfast (narrow-minded of them, huh?) I'd be interested in hearing from the rest of you. Betsy

Digest 15, originally sent Tue Jun 8 03:13:20 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: why so quiet? From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 18:32:22 EDT From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: why so quiet? Sorry I haven't had time to introduce myself. I've been really busy, but I am excited about this list and learning more about our brand new dynavox. I belong to a couple of other lists and get mail every day. So, far this is the only mail I've gotten from DynaMicDuos. Did I do something wrong. I will try to long on tonight after Lauren is in bed and tell you our story. Sincerely, Sandy sandyb638@xxx.xxx

Digest 16, originally sent Wed Jun 9 06:42:05 1999 There are 2 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: why so quiet? From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 2. Introduction From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 09:13:03 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: why so quiet? I wondered why things were so quiet, too. Here's a question/problem/issue in page design and organization (maybe this will get some discussion started.) I am struggling with vocabulary selection and organization for Tory (age 5). What is happening is that she has a basic menu structure and master page design that seems to work pretty well for us. It resembles the "child" sample user. I program pages for particular topics as they come up, like a unit at preschool about wild animals or weather, or a special family activity like a trip to Sea World. She uses them when they are relevant, usually with prompting but occasionally independently. Then, when they aren't relevant any more, I program new ones. But, I don't want to delete the old ones, because they contain vocabulary she doesn't have access to anywhere else except in the dictionary, which has too much for her to manage at this point. I've created a couple of "history" folders on her "I want to tell you something" page for non-current holidays and for places she's been, and that seems to be helping. But occasionally I see her hunting through pages on the device, sometimes just exploring, but sometimes I think looking for a particular word and not finding it anywhere. For example, yesterday her preschool class went on a field trip to a nature center. I had asked the teacher what they were going to see and pre-programmed a page with bees, butterflies, flowers, etc. And I knew enough to include the bus - a big part of any field trip. :-) But, of course, I didn't include the train that the bus had to stop for. So when I picked her up and asked her what she saw on the field trip, she immediately left her "field trip" page and went roaming through various pages ... her teacher mentioned the train and I added it to the "field trip" page, and that was what she wanted. I'm not sure exactly what my question is. I guess I'm asking, how do you balance specific vocabulary with more general vocabulary, and organize things so that they are findable? Finding things in context works pretty well. It's out of context - which happens more than I would have realized - that is the problem. I'd be interested in hearing how others deal with it. Betsy

Message: 2 Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 19:17:13 EDT From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx Subject: Introduction Hi All: I'd like to introduce myself and my granddaughter. My name is Sandy Bean and I'm the grandma (mama) to Lauren, age 10. I have raised Lauren all her life and she brings nothing but happiness to me and everyone who comes in contact with her. Lauren has Spina Bifida, is paralyzed from the chest down, has slight movement in her arms, and can move her head enough to say "no." Lauren is trached for paralyzed vocal chords and thus, is completely nonverbal. Up until now, she has only been able to "talk" by shaking her head "no" and moving her left arm up and down for "yes." Basically, this is how she has communicated with us for all these years. She does have a small communication device that allows her to make a few choices, but it's awkward to use because it has to be continuously reprogrammed with choices that we make for her. Then she picks the one she wants most. Because Lauren has such minimal control of her arms, she accesses all her devices with a head switch, including her computer that we purchased last year. She was able to learn some basic switch games on the computer and we were really excited about that. It was still very difficult for us to know how much she really understood because, as I said, her only means of communication was yes and no. Then we found a new speech therapist that is extremely knowledgeable about augmentative communication. She recommended the Dynavox because of the picture and audio prompts. Last summer we were able to try it out for two weeks to see how Lauren would do. By the end of the second week, she communicated a thought in three parts. She said she wanted to go in the big van to Toys R Us to buy a Barney video. You can imagine our excitement to learn that she was able to tell us exactly what she wanted to do. Our therapist completed the forms for my insurance company and to my total surprise, they approved the device. We finally got our Dynavox a couple of weeks ago and we're slowly getting Lauren and ourselves used to it. The other day, she said she wanted to watch a video and then chose a Sing Along tape. Her nurse and I know nothing about programming it or using it, except to turn it on. So far, our ST, has done all the programming. The other problem is that Lauren can only access the device while she's in her wheelchair. She is in her chair for several hours a day, but the times she is in her bed or on the sofa watching cartoons she is unable to use it. So far, the only thing I don't like about the Dynavox is the voices. We are presently using a man's voice because it seems to be the easiest to understand. I would really like Lauren to have a child's voice. I guess we can't have everything. I, as well as her nurses and therapists, now have high hopes for my little girl. She is schooled and has all her therapies at home because she is so medically fragile. The school recently agreed to give us ten hours of homebound school per week, plus 3 hours of speech therapy. We are all very optimistic about her progress, but we all have to get on board with the Dynavox. We have a lot to learn and we're open to any and all suggestions. Since we're such novices, I'm really looking forward to talking to and learning from you pros. I hope I haven't bored you. Get me started on my baby and it's hard to stop me. Sincerely, Sandy

Digest 17, originally sent Thu Jun 10 07:01:59 1999 There are 2 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. How do you know what to program? From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Introduction From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 21:18:19 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: How do you know what to program? Hi Betsy, Wow what a question! This is just an idea . . . You want to have previous pages tht have been designed for specific activities accessible, right? One idea might be to create a month calendar page and link the page to the date on the calendar. For example, a field trip to the zoo on Monday, June 14th. Whenever June 14th is pressed, viola, the zoo page. It was quite complicated for us also until our son Josh began to spell his

Message with word prediction. Until then he built up quite a few pages, oh, I would guess 130 or so! I remember thinking think long and hard about the organization . All "school" stuff was linked to his home master page but we really strove to keep home and school pages as separate as possible. Anyone else have any ideas? Pam Harris

Digest 18, originally sent Fri Jun 11 06:54:17 1999 There are 3 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: forever learning how to NOT waste my kids time! From: WKKP@xxx.xxx 2. Re: why so quiet? From: Suzanne Sawka <jaimeson@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx 3. Re: forever learning how to NOT waste my kids time! From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 11:05:18 EDT From: WKKP@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: forever learning how to NOT waste my kids time! I recently realized we were wasting my sons time by having him work on body parts. Quinn is 5 1/2 and has autism. I felt he knew his body parts but maybe not the all the labels for them. In private speech the SLP had him using a puzzle and his dynamyte to label the body parts. He really wasnt giving us a sign that he "got" it at least most of the time. Anyway, At night, we review what we did that day on our calendar page. He likes to explore the device at this time because its a quiet time for him. He often referred to a bad experience at the doctor where he was given a shot in the arm. He used three buttons to describe this: I got a shot, in the arm and Ouch that hurts! Ok, there's one body part! Also, in the last week he has been showing me the I hurt link button to tell me about his toe he skinned. Two body parts!! Spontaneously! So I guess what I'm trying to say is how great its been to have Quinn able to tell us so many more things about what he knows and minimize his frustration with us who are trying to teach him things he already knows!! Anyone else have a similar experience? wendy (quinn's mom)

Message: 2 Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 14:39:33 -0500 From: Suzanne Sawka <jaimeson@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: why so quiet? Hi Everyone! I know a couple of you have been waiting to hear from me on the list. I keep telling myself that I should go on, when I .....have the time, get organized, can have a complete thought, or when I know I can contribute. Well...none of that has occured yet I guess I should make myself known...or so people tell me. Here goes: Suzanne logging on! We are a family of five (and them some, counting Grandmas) Our oldest is Jaime (girl) 15 yrs, then there's Christopher, almost 11 yrs. (Oh my! That happened fast.) and Elyse, soon to be 10yrs. Christopher "uses" a Dynavox 2c -- mostly predetermined school activities. We have excellent supports built into our IEP the applications and conversational exchanges is lacking. It really isn't meaningful and this point, because Chris uses a variety of adapted sign and natural content to express himself. We have had several organizational structures designed on our DV2c, most by me, now the majority of the device is programmed by a speech path for school. Our search at this point is more home ownership and agreement within school application and design for ongoing communication. The structures I designed "blew" when the system crashed. (EVERYONE OUT THERE...YOU MUST BACK UP AS YOU GO!!!) Learn how if you don't know it will save you our nightmares. DV systems and us are old friends...they have helped us out of quite a few jams and the school team tries really hard. The bottom line is we stil have a ways to go but I know we'll get there. Oh, I forgot to mention Chris accesses his DV2c and computer through switch scanning mounted primarily at the head. He accesses some environmental controls through a portable floor mount my husband Steve and I designed. Hope that's enough for now...I be looking in again soon. Because if I try and wait for a "good time" you'll never hear from be again. :-)Suz

Message: 3 Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 15:58:04 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: forever learning how to NOT waste my kids time! In a message dated 6/10/99 10:06:06 AM Central Daylight Time, WKKP@xxx.xxx writes:

<< So I guess what I'm trying to say is how great its been to have Quinn able to tell us so many more things about what he knows and minimize his frustration with us who are trying to teach him things he already knows!! Anyone else have a similar experience? >>

Yes ... we're working on color recognition with Tory. She's been matching colors for a long time but is inconsistent about "show me the (red, blue, whatever) one". It's really hard sometimes to tell what she doesn't understand, what she isn't interested in, and when you just aren't on her radar at all. I have a page of colors on her DynaMyte and the other day in the car she pointed to the two cars next to us at a traffic light - both red - and signed 'same'. So I brought up the 'color' page for her and modeled saying 'red'. Well, she thought this was a great game, and she demonstrated to me that she knows blue, black, brown, and yellow as well as red. So I think this one is more a matter of motivation than anything else. Betsy (Tory, age 5.3, apraxia, microcephaly, DynaMyte user)

Digest 19, originally sent Sat Jun 12 06:49:54 1999 There are 5 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. introduction From: hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 2. Re: introduction From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 3. Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx 4. Re: introduction From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 5. Mea Culpa From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 13:51:30 -0400 From: hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: introduction Hello My name is Cathy from Bellaire Michigan. My son Andy is 8.9. He has severe apraxia of Speech and has only said one word MaMa. He had several years of speech therapy but to no avail. He is in an excellant special ed classroom in the Traverse City area. He uses some signs, but because he has limb apraxia also this is difficult for him. We are new to the Dynamyte. I was overwhelmed with what it can do. I'm still trying to work on the programing for him. Here is my question. After you make a popup and all the buttons are full, Is there a way to change the popup to have more buttons and keep all the information that you already programed in? Or do you have to delete it all and start all over again? Thanks for your help.

Message: 2 Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 14:36:46 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: introduction In a message dated 6/11/99 12:47:22 PM Central Daylight Time, hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxx writes:

I had to do a lot of this when I realized my daughter could handle more buttons per page than I had originally designed. I used the "pour" function to help, like this: (1) Create a new page with the new number of buttons, all blank. (2) Edit the new page, and select all the buttons you want to be like the buttons on the old page (3) Choose "pour" from the menu. It will give you a list of pages. Select the old page. (4) It will copy over all the buttons from the old page to the new, keeping button style as well as contents. Then you can go back and delete the old page. Betsy

Message: 3 Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 16:53:14 -0500 From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx Subject: Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx My name is Ann. I just joined the list. I have two sons: Max (4) and Quinn (2). Max has moderate/severe apraxia. He has been using a DynaMyte since last December. I have programmed about 80 pages for him. He uses the DynaMyte very well on his own and one-on-one, but is reluctant to use it in a group situation like circle time at preschool. I am primarily interested in ideas that could make it easier for Max to use his DynaMyte in the classroom. For example, I have programmed things like: Can I play with you? Will you play with me? but Max has no experience initiating social interactions so I cannot quite figure out how to teach him to use his DynaMyte to do it. I'm very happy to have found the list. And I love the DynaMyte. It has made a huge difference in our lives. Max is currently receiving ST 4 x wk and OT 1 x wk. Max's speech has progressed a lot, but he has a long way to go. Ann mom to Mighty Max and Mighty Quinn DynaMicDuos-owner@xxxxxxx.xxx on 06/11/99 04:41:38 PM Please respond to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx To: Ann T Reilly/St. Catherine@CSC cc: Subject: [DynaMicDuos] Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx Hello, Welcome to the list. Please take a moment to review this message. To unsubscribe from this list, go to the ONElist web site, at www.onelist.com, and select the User Center link from the menu bar on the left. This menu will also let you change your subscription between

Digest and normal mode. Please introduce yourself and share a little about your experiences with a DynaVox device. It would be great if you would tell us a really cool programming idea. If you've got a concern or a question, please, jump right in and post it. Again, welcome to the DynaMic Duos! Thanks, Pam Harris List Owner

Message: 4 Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 22:41:58 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: introduction In a message dated 6/11/99 10:47:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time, hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxx writes:

<< After you make a popup and all the buttons are full, Is there a way to change the popup to have more buttons and keep all the information that you already programed in? Or do you have to delete it all and start all over again? Thanks for your help. > Aahh, this one I can answer! Bring up the popup. Hit edit, and then resize. Drag a corner, do you like the size? Drag another corner. All of your original buttons remain, need to be moved, but you now have room to add others. Did this make sense? I think I need some practice in sending programming info. Let me know and I can clarify. Pam Harris

Message: 5 Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 22:43:18 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Mea Culpa In a message dated 6/11/99 11:39:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

<>

yep, this would work also. Pam

Digest 20, originally sent Sun Jun 13 06:41:25 1999 There are 2 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: social interactions From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx From: Janemtj@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 12 Jun 1999 09:11:20 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: social interactions In a message dated 6/11/99 4:54:51 PM Central Daylight Time, atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx writes:

<< I am primarily interested in ideas that could make it easier for Max to use his DynaMyte in the classroom. For example, I have programmed things like: Can I play with you? Will you play with me? but Max has no experience initiating social interactions so I cannot quite figure out how to teach him to use his DynaMyte to do it. >>

Hi Ann, It sounds like Max and Tory are at about the same level. We are working to teach these social skills, too. Tory has recently become much more interested in social interaction, but unfortunately she tends to show it by going up and pushing children at preschool. (Sigh.) Right now we're teaching this stuff mainly through modeling. In her weekly sessions with the assistive technology specialist, they play games. Tory will imitate the therapist's use of the DynaMyte to say things like "It's my turn" or "That's mine", but doesn't truly use it spontaneously yet. So far we're finding that two key things are (1) to make sure you have the right vocabulary (modeling is good for this, because not only does it show Tory how to use the device, it forces you to actually use it to interact, which tends to show up holes), and (2) to find a game that she likes that requires interaction. Tory isn't really up to board games or card games like "go fish" yet. And, she has developed habits of play that don't require interaction, since she couldn't interact well. One thing that worked pretty well for us was sharing a ViewMaster, which let her practice turn-taking (It's my turn, I want that) and commenting (Look at that, that's scary, I like that). We're having less success with her favorite, playing with the toy animals. She gets so focused on the playing that I don't think she can switch her attention back and forth from playing to communicating very well. The tech specialist also takes Tory down the hall to the day care center preschool room (not where Tory herself goes to preschool) and lets her practice introductions. "My name is Tory." "This is my dog Rover. I like to play with it." "Can I play?" Again, she imitates but doesn't initiate. But I hope it will come with time. Betsy

Message: 2 Date: Sat, 12 Jun 1999 09:22:58 EDT From: Janemtj@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx Hi all, My son has had his Dynamyte since November of 98 and is in a regular classroom in third grade for fall. Biggest issues for us have been getting appropriate launguage for classroom particpation programmed into the unit. We have a AAC aide who helps with school programming. We are in Columbus , OH and are putting together a camp for potential AAC users and there families. The camp will be in July and is geared toward those who are just begining the process to look at devices and to look for evaluations. If anyone has any great info they would like to share please contact me . All help is apprecciated . Thanks, Jane

Digest 21, originally sent Tue Jun 15 06:57:14 1999 There are 6 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: social interactions From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx 2. Re: social interactions From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 3. Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 4. Re: social interactions From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 5. Re: social interactions From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 6. Pronunciation Exception for "uh oh"? From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 19:59:45 EDT From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: social interactions Briefly, what is a DynaMyte? I'm getting real confused. Sandy

Message: 2 Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 22:26:54 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: social interactions In a message dated 6/14/99 7:01:01 PM Central Daylight Time, SANDYB638@xxx.xxx writes:

<< Briefly, what is a DynaMyte? I'm getting real confused. >>

Hi Sandy, A DynaMyte is a small (3.4 lb.) portable communication device. It runs the same software as a DynaVox, which is a larger (12+ lb.) communication device that can be mounted. The software uses dynamic display. That means that when the screen is touched or activated, it can change. No overlays to remove and replace, all communication "pages" are within the unit. Hope this helps. Pam Harris (married to Kevin and mom to Shelley, age 18, and Josh a busy 10 year old who uses a DynaMyte)

Message: 3 Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 22:30:46 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Welcome to DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx In a message dated 6/12/99 8:24:21 AM Central Daylight Time, Janemtj@xxx.xxx writes:

<< The camp will be in July and is geared toward those who are just begining the process to look at devices and to look for evaluations.> Hi Jane, Welcome to the list. The camp sounds terrific and will fill a much needed void. I have no input as I have never attempted such an undertaking. I would like to ask you to let us all know how the process is going. Perhaps others will be inspired to duplicate your wonderful idea. Pam Harris

Message: 4 Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 22:37:17 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: social interactions In a message dated 6/12/99 8:11:43 AM Central Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

< This is a tough one because as the kids get older there are fewer and fewer "social" opportunities in the classroom. Our son Josh just finished third grade. The school social worker began a really neat structured social group for Josh. She sent home volunteer slips for a "Pizza Party." "Pizza Party" is a board game for four children to play. Josh played the game with three peers who rotated weekly. We were able to play the game at home for a couple of weeks before the group began to familiarize Josh with the game. The asst. tech consultant and social worker suggested vocabulary for the DynaMyte pages. Each week Josh improved significantly on his independent use of those very tough "comments". Because the support stayed consistent and the game remained the same, Josh was able to learn social communication much more quickly. The last week of school, the social worker had a real pizza party for all of the volunteers during lunch. This idea was SO successful, it has been written into Josh's IEP for next year. Pam Harris

Message: 5 Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 22:49:14 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: social interactions Pam, That "pizza party" sounds great. Thanks for passing on the suggestion. I'll be happy when Tory gets to the point where she has the attention / concentration to play a board game or card game. It seems like that predictable but flexible interaction is great for building those skills. Right now the only games she can really play with the rest of us are the Soundtrack / Listening Lotto games (where you listen to an audiotape and put a marker on the picture of the sound you heard), and we spend those games shushing each other so we can hear the tape. :-) Betsy Mom to Beth, 6.10, and Tory, 5.3, apraxia, microcephaly, AAC user

Message: 6 Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 22:53:07 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Pronunciation Exception for "uh oh"? Does anybody know how to program a pronunciation exception to make "uh oh" sound right? I know the mechanics of putting in an exception, but I can't figure out the right phonemes to approximate the way the expression sounds in natural speech. "ut oh" came closest, but still sounded funny. Betsy

Digest 22, originally sent Wed Jun 16 08:14:45 1999 There are 10 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Literacy and Augmentative Communication From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 2. Re: social interactions From: "David L. Bennett" <dlbennett@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx 3. Re: Pronunciation Exception for "uh oh"? From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 4. scanning From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx 5. Re: scanning From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 6. Re: scanning From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx 7. Re: scanning From: Peanut0967@xxx.xxx 8. Re: scanning From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 9. Re: scanning From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 10. introduction From: "Glen Miller" <email@xxxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 11:02:59 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Literacy and Augmentative Communication I saw the following announcement and am thinking of going to this seminar. Has anyone been to one of them? I know the presenters are well known in the field. Thanks, Betsy LITERACY IN AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver will be co-teaching the 7th Summer Seminar on Literacy in Augmentative Communication July 5-9, 1999 at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. The focus of the course is reading and writing theory, instruction, assessment, and technology applications to support the learning of children (and adults) who use AAC to communicate. Further information can be found at: http://www.gac.edu/~dkoppenh/summerseminar/info.html. Anyone interested in further information can call Kate Martens, 507/933/7544 or email kmartens@xxx.xxx.

Message: 2 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 10:42:38 -0500 From: "David L. Bennett" <dlbennett@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: social interactions Hi Sandy, I hope Pam's description of the DynaMyte clarifies your question. DynaVox Systems offers our DynaVox Systems Software (D.S.S.) in several forms! 1. DynaVox 3100- a dedicated 7 pound communication device with a 12 inch diagonal color active matrix screen. Typically, you find most DynaVox Users utilize wheelchairs and require the device to be mounted to their chair. 2. DynaMyte 3100 - a dedicated 3.2 pound communication device with a 6.5 inch diagonal color active matrix screen. Very often, the user's of the DynaMyte are ambulatory and carry their device over the shoulder or by hand. The DynaMyte is designed to be portable and give you the advantages of the DynaVox in a smaller package! 3. Computer: MAC or Windows - you also have the option to purchase the Software alone and place it on a personal computer! This option allows some individuals to turn a computer into a communication device. Furthermore, if you have D.S.S. for MAC or Windows, then YOU can program communication boards at your convenience on your computer and later transfer those pages and popups to a DynaVox or DynaMyte. And, an additional benefit, the Software can serve as a BACK UP to your DynaVox or DynaMyte. Dynamically, David (Your DynaVox Dynamic Duos Representative)

Message: 3 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 12:03:03 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Pronunciation Exception for "uh oh"? In a message dated 6/14/99 7:56:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

<< Does anybody know how to program a pronunciation exception to make "uh oh" sound right? >>

Hi Betsy, I have this one in Josh's pronunciation exceptions. I added it as one word as pronunciation exceptions will not accept spaces. Uhoh = UXh%OWh1 UX as in b(u)d OW as in b(oa)t % to silence the first h and 1 to primary stress the second syllable Hope this helps. Pam

Message: 4 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 11:51:15 -0500 From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx Subject: scanning I would like to scan in the "Thomas the Tank Engine" engines and then add them to the dictionary. Is that possible? I would also like to add a lot of different trucks to the dictionary. Can you believe there is no crane or backhoe. More generally, what is the best way to expand the dictionary? Also, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in trading stories they have programmed. I have programmed about 8-10. They take me 2 1/2 hrs or so to do. Ann mom to Max 4 yr old DynaMyte user who loves trucks and trains; Quinn, 2 who says "Howdy do" ("How do you do?")

Message: 5 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 13:08:08 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: scanning This is on my list of "find out how to do this" too, Ann, except we want the Barney and Arthur characters. And maybe the Berenstein Bears. :-) When you say you've programmed in a story, what have you put in? Betsy

Message: 6 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 14:32:17 EDT From: Emrald11@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: scanning Hi, guys!!

<< I would like to scan in the "Thomas the Tank Engine" engines and then add them to the dictionary. Is that possible? I would also like to add a lot of different trucks to the dictionary. Can you believe there is no crane or backhoe.>>

Yep, you can do this. My mom (Pam) scans onto Josh's laptop, because it has the scanner software right on it, but I know you can do it right on the DynaMyte, too.

<< More generally, what is the best way to expand the dictionary?>>

This is Mom's territory, although I think I've done it before...

<< Also, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in trading stories they have programmed. I have programmed about 8-10. They take me 2 1/2 hrs or so to do. >>

What stories do you have? That's such a cool idea!! <A HREF="aol://1722:smile4u">Don't Worry. Be Happy!!</A> <--My best friend Krissy sent me this. : ) Love, Shelley

Message: 7 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 15:06:41 EDT From: Peanut0967@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: scanning In a message dated 6/15/99 2:33:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Emrald11@xxx.xxx writes:

> Hi! My name is Tammy. My son is 5 1/2. He has dyspraxia and hypotonia (is that right? Low Muscle tone anyway, LOL.) He has had his Dynamyte since March I think. We have had a dickens of a time getting the school staff to use it, grr. I would love to learn to scan into the Dynamyte. We have a scanner that I use all the time. If someone can tell me how, I would be indebted. I have never thought of doing stories. What a wonderful idea. How does your child use the stories that are in his Dynamyte? Does he "read" them out loud to others? One of my favorite features of the Dynamyte is the alarm. We use it to remind Ryan to go potty. Unfortunately, the teachers keep turning it off and it doesn't always power up like it is supposed to. I am so glad to have found this list. I have a lot to learn! Thanks, Tammy

Message: 8 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 20:54:45 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: scanning In a message dated 6/15/99 9:50:10 AM Pacific Daylight Time, atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx writes:

<>

We have scanned several pictures onto Josh's laptop. (he uses DynaVox software on his laptop) We have scanned family pictures and Josh has really enjoyed sharing his pixs and telling about them. We have also scanned a map of the US as identifying the 50 states is a curricular goal. (Josh is up to 15 states, two oceans and two mountain ranges!) Scanning is a process that seems complicated in the beginning. Kinda the same as programming. But as we all have learned, once we do it a few times, it becomes quite simple. I can provide scanning info however, I would suggest doing what I did - I read the manual, didn't understand it, tried it only a time or two and then called tech support. I explained my objective from the beginning. I also shared that I understood that I needed assistance to understand the entire process and then the support to start. I received good info, tried again a few times and still needed some support. I called again and by the end of the conversation was up and running. Please note that scanning a picture, saving it as a GIF file, and loading it into the software, CREATES A SYMBOL. I know a mom who is creative and confident enough to DRAW her own pictures. Wendy, if you have time, how about telling us about some of the pictures you have drawn for Quinn? We have also scanned in the pix's of classmates and teachers for Josh in the past. This was also very successful for Josh. Please let me know any other information is needed. Pam

Message: 9 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 21:00:08 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: scanning In a message dated 6/15/99 9:50:10 AM Pacific Daylight Time, atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx writes:

< Hi, it's me again, We have the need to add Josh's video and computer CD collection to his DynaMyte so he uses device to ask for what he wants. Because the number of videos was so significant, I created a simple 9 scrolling insearch button template. Then I added a concept of "Josh'svideos" to the concept browser and programmed in the videos. It did take some time to set up but now the page is so usable for Josh, it was worth every minute. The videos (concept) are added to the dictionary. If this isn't clear let me know and I will clarify. Pam Harris

Message: 10 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 22:46:15 -0500 From: "Glen Miller" <email@xxxxxx.xxxx Subject: introduction My name is Barb, and I was so happy to receive a copy of Dynamic Duos newletter, and to find out about this list. My older son, Glen, is 21, loves country music and telling jokes, has unlimited answers to trivia questions, never stops talking, enjoys therapeutic horseback riding. He also has athetoid and spastic cp, severe dysarthria, mild cognitive challenges (in some areas). Has used a power wheelchair since age 6 and for the past 10 years has used an Epson with Real Voice to communicate with unfamiliar listeners. About a month ago he finally received his Dynavox. He and all our family are excited to be learning all the neat ways it can be used. One of the first pages I made for him was to set it up as the remote for his tv, vcr, and boom box so he can control them when he's in his Easy Stand. Now I want to enter his favorite jokes. That may take days because he has so many! After so many years of using his Epson, it is taking some time and teaching for him to learn how the dynamic screen works, so he currently uses the keyboard with word prediction most of the time. I am really looking forward to learning from others who have more experience with the Dynavox. I also am a itinerant teacher for students with physical disabilities, 3 of whom have Dynavox products, so everything I learn from all of you will also help me professionally. I also hope to be able to share information I have with you. Looking forward to reading and responding.

Digest 23, originally sent Thu Jun 17 07:19:59 1999 There is 1 message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. stories From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 09:43:35 -0500 From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx Subject: stories These are the stories I have put into Max's DynaMyte. We're Going on a Bear Hunt My Many Colored Days Catch Me Catch Me Do you Want to be My Friend? The Quiet Noisy Book Freight Train I Can't Wait Thomas's Big Book of Words Dr Seuss's ABC Generally, I pick out one icon for each sentence. I use the 30medcus screen. Some of them are two or three screens. Then I use the right arrow to get to link to the next screen. Max really likes the stories. Monday night he took his DynaMyte to bed with him and "read" stories by himself for an hour. Finally, at 11 p.m., I took it away so I could recharge it and so I could get some sleep. Ann mom to Mighty Max, 4, and Mighty Quinn, 2

Digest 24, originally sent Fri Jun 18 06:40:08 1999 There are 3 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Introduction From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Literacy and Augmentative Communication From: Suzanne Sawka <jaimeson@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx 3. Re: Introduction From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 11:04:31 EDT From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxx Subject: Introduction Hello! I'm Sandi -- my daughter MaryFrances (Frannie) is 3.8 yo and has been using the DynaMyte for approximately 5 months. She is, so far, extremely delayed in her expressive language and has other developmental delays due to a brain injury caused by anoxia. Her brief history is that she was born with congenital heart defects, and at 6 months old had her second successful surgery, after which she had a seizure and her heart stopped. Fortunately, her surgeon just happened to be walking by and started CPR, then she was placed on ECMO for 5 days. It's been a long recovery, but she's getting there! She is extremely social, so when her expressive language was not developing, she was very frustrated and screamed a lot. Since her receptive language is almost right on target, you can imagine how frustrating this was/is for her! Also, she has some fine motor delays, so sign language is difficult. She does about 3 signs. She does verbalize some, but only a few word approximations. We were concerned that her cognitive and social development would be stalled because of her inability to communicate, so I did some research and suggested the DynaMyte. It has been great! To see her face light up when someone actually understands what she is saying -- that makes all the programming time worthwhile! I have a background in computers, so the programming has not been difficult for me. I'm very interested in suggestions for practical use, classroom use, etc. Also, I have a master's degree in music, and programmed Frannie's DynaMyte to sing Happy Birthday -- Yes, I know it came with Happy Birthday on it, but it was totally out of key and incorrect (sorry, but it's true) -- same with the other songs on the unit. I wonder why? Anyway, she was floating on air when she was able to "sing" Happy Birthday to her friends. I'm excited about this list and I look forward to sharing and getting lots of information! Sandi

Message: 2 Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 10:10:11 -0500 From: Suzanne Sawka <jaimeson@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx Subject: Re: Literacy and Augmentative Communication Hi All, To answer Betsy's question about Karen Erickson and David Kopen....(spell?)-- I have seen them at Closing the Gap and in a two day workshop in the Chicago area. They have good foundational information regarding a literacy approach they gathered through research. What I gained was that, even though they might always agree on some aspects of their work they are clearly upfront about these factors and allow you to listen and choose what you believe would work best given your own situation. If you have the opportunity I would recommend that you attend. What I have found, through years and years of conferences and workshops, is that the more approaches and strategies you learn...the more you can offer to support your child. Strategies are the key elements to learning. Aside from that Karen, I know personally, is a wealth of information and someone who really cares. Hope that helps. Let us know if they've found anything new, in their approach. Suzanne

Message: 3 Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 11:47:33 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Introduction Hi Sandy, We welcome you (and Franny) to the list. My daughter Shelley is 18 and has played piano and clarinet for many, many years. She, like you, reprogrammed songs for Josh, including Happy Birthday and Take Me Out to the Ballgame. She was inspired to also program the first few lines from the theme to the movie Titanic, "My Heart Will Go On". We were pleasantly surprised to learn that kids as young as third grade delighted when Josh sang. This year Josh spent a good 3 days causing trouble at school with his songs. : ) The teacher would begin instruction and Josh would break out into song. It is impossible to stop a song once it has begun and also impossible to turn down the volume. This occurred a couple times a day for about 3 days. Everyone understood the importance of keeping the songs available to Josh and the need for Josh to learn when and where he can sing. So we added a "May I sing a song?" symbol button to his Songs popup. Josh learned quickly to ask first. Usually the response was, "Not now, but after we finish . . . you may sing a song." Well, again, welcome to the list. Pam Harris

Digest 25, originally sent Sat Jun 19 06:18:25 1999 There are 8 messages in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. funding From: hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 2. Re: Using the system (was: funding) From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 3. Re: Using the system (was: funding) From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 4. Re: funding From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 5. Re: Using the system (was: funding) From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 6. file system cleanup From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx 7. Re: file system cleanup From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 8. Re: Using the system (was: funding) From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 09:49:57 -0400 From: hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: funding Hi everyone I have acouple of questions. 1. We have had Andy's Dynamyte for about a month now. He doesn't seem to be interested in using it. Should I be more forceful in not answering him unless he uses it? I'm still really unsure about where everything is in it. Should I just leave him alone about it until I understand more about it? 2. Does anyone know it there is some way or place to get funding to pay for the extended warranty on the device. After the first year is up, it will cost $520.00 a year to have warranty coverage. The box was paid for by Medicaid. We don't have that kind of money for the warranty. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Cathy from Bellaire Michigan

Message: 2 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 10:36:43 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Using the system (was: funding) In a message dated 99-06-18 10:06:21 EDT, you write: We have had Andy's Dynamyte for about a month now. He doesn't seem to be interested in using it. Should I be more forceful in not answering him unless he uses it? I'm still really unsure about where everything is in it. Should I just leave him alone about it until I understand more about it? Cathy, I'm no help on the funding question. But on this one ... I remember having this idea that the device would be Tory's voice, and that once she had it she would learn to use it as naturally as children learn to use their voices. It doesn't work that way. My suggestion would be to pick one thing to emphasize using the device to communicate. We have had the best success initially with things that gave Tory power over something: requesting a snack, requesting a favorite video, or playing Simon Says. (She just *loved* telling mom to walk like a dinosaur or make a noise like a dog and having me do it.) But whatever motivates Andy. It doesn't work well for us to try to use the device for things that are adequately communicated in other ways. Betsy Mom to Beth, 6.10, and Tory, 5.3, apraxia, microcephaly, DynaMyte user

Message: 3 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 13:59:27 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Using the system (was: funding) In a message dated 6/18/99 9:39:07 AM Central Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

<< It doesn't work well for us to try to use the device for things that are adequately communicated in other ways. >>

I AGREE so completely with this statement. And you're also right on target when you described how in the beginning we think of the device as our child's voice and our expectations are for "typical" communication. Our son Josh uses his device with impressive skill, and yet he truly uses in a way so very different from "typical" conversation. I just love the Simon Says and plan to program a page so Josh and I can play. Thanks for the great idea and the great insight. Pam Harris (mom to Josh, an active and busy 10 year old who uses a DynaMyte)

Message: 4 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 14:02:03 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: funding In a message dated 6/18/99 9:06:21 AM Central Daylight Time, hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxx writes:

<< Does anyone know it there is some way or place to get funding to pay for the extended warranty on the device. >>

Hi Cathy, I'm not sure how old Andy is, but if he is still in school, I would approach the school district for covering the warranty for the device. I know that it is an all inclusive policy and worth every penny spent. If the device is written into an IEP and used at school, it certainly would be in the school district's best interests to provide the warranty funding. Just an idea. Pam Harris

Message: 5 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 14:30:17 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Using the system (was: funding) In a message dated 99-06-18 13:59:59 EDT, you write: I just love the Simon Says and plan to program a page so Josh and I can play. I have to credit the assistive technology specialist with this one. When we first started using a Cheap Talk with Tory, this was one of the games she tried, and it was successful from the beginning. Pam, we also have a page that I labeled "family talk" that has the names of each family member (including the dog ... more on this later), then actions like "hug", "kiss", "tickle", "go away", "come here," and "I love you." We use this some evenings at bedtime when we're all hanging around upstairs. Tory likes it, and she's also learning to build subject-verb-object sentences and understand that "Daddy tickle Tory" is different from "Tory tickle Daddy" (but both are fun). Sequencing things is hard for her, and moving from two words to three is a challenge. Anything that gives fun practice on it is a good thing. By the way, this page offered me one of those breathtaking moments in communication. I had added "miss" as an action because my husband travels a lot and I wanted Tory to have the same ability to say she missed Daddy that her sister had. I showed her it was there but she had never used it. Then, a few months ago, we had to have our dog Bridget put to sleep. A couple of weeks later, we had this page up at bedtime, and Tory used it to say "miss Bridget." She made eye contact after she said it, and when I responded, "I know, I miss her too," she went on to something else. I could never get her to repeat it, so I'm not 100% sure it was intentional, but it sure looked that way to me. Betsy

Message: 6 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 14:04:29 -0500 From: atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx Subject: file system cleanup For the last wk or so, Max's DynaMyte has been doing a "file system cleanup" everyday when I turn it off. Basically, we turn it on in the morning and leave it on until he goes to bed. Is this a bad sign that it is doing this so frequently. Ann

Message: 7 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 17:35:40 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: file system cleanup In a message dated 6/18/99 12:05:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time, atreilly@xxxxxx.xxx writes:

<< Is this a bad sign that it is doing this so frequently. > From what I understand, the device will do a File System Cleanup either when the device is turned on or turned off when it is necessary to compress files, so this sounds appropriate. However, are you running consistent Systems Maintenance? Whenever I program more than 15 minutes, I run a system maintenance to keep the files compressed and the system running smoothly. This is VERY important to do. I would suggest that you run a system maintenance and then see if a File System cleanup still occurs when you shut down. Josh's device runs all day as well and it is just about two years old. Sometimes, the device will run a file system cleanup when I run the system maintenance. How about other's ideas on this subject? Pam Harris

Message: 8 Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 17:37:04 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx Subject: Re: Using the system (was: funding) In a message dated 6/18/99 11:30:32 AM Pacific Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

<>

Betsy, Thanks for sharing more about the programming and the experience using the Family Talk page. I am sure it was intentional, no need to repeat it, right,

Message understood loud and clear. Pam

Digest 26, originally sent Sun Jun 20 06:25:51 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Using the system (was: funding) From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 20:36:22 EDT From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Using the system (was: funding)Please tell me how you play these little games, i.e. Simon Says, and tell stories. So far, Lauren has only made choices on her Dynavox (of course, she's only had it about two weeks.) The games and the stories sound like a fun together thing for Lauren and me to do when I get home from work. Don't forget, I'm a novice so I need real detailed direction.Thanks,Sandy

Digest 27, originally sent Tue Jun 22 06:50:20 1999 There are 2

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Using the system From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Using the system From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 07:37:10 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Using the system In a

Message dated 6/19/99 7:36:50 PM Central Daylight Time, SANDYB638@xxx.xxx writes:

<< Please tell me how you play these little games, i.e. Simon Says >>Tory has a page for Simon Says. There's a button for "Tory says" (instead of Simon), then about 6 actions: make a noise like a dog, make a noise like a dinosaur, hide behind a chair, hide under the table, go away, come back. You can make this more or less complex depending on what the child is ready to do: there could be just two or three choices, or you could set it up to require sequencing three buttons instead of two ("Simon says", "make a noise like", "a dog"). Pick actions you're willing to live with. :-)I'd also like to suggest two books and a website that have lots of good information on AAC in general, not device-specific. The website is called YAACK, and is about AAC and young children, at http://www.mrtc.org/~duffy/yaack/ . It is wonderful and has a ton of information. The books are Beukelman & Mirenda, Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Management of Severe Communication Disorders in Children and Adults (1998, second edition), and Light & Binger, Building Communicative Competence with Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (also 1998). The books are both aimed at professionals or students but I found them pretty readable. I got them from amazon.com.Betsy

Digest 28, originally sent Fri Jun 25 06:52:31 1999 There are 3

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday? From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday? From: "Barb Hazlewood-Miller" <barbhm@xxx.xxxx 3. Re: Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday? From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 21:48:40 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday?Can someone tell me where the meeting is? I've lost my notice sheet with address and time. I remember it's in Oakbrook but not exactly where.Thanks,Betsy

Message: 2 Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 22:30:31 -0500 From: "Barb Hazlewood-Miller" <barbhm@xxx.xxxxSubject: Re: Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday?It's at the Oak Brook Marriott, 1401 West 22nd St., Oak Brook630-573-8555---------->From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx>To: DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx>Subject: [DynaMicDuos] Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday?>Date: Thu, Jun 24, 1999, 8:48 PM>>From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx>>Can someone tell me where the meeting is? I've lost my notice sheet with >address and time. I remember it's in Oakbrook but not exactly where.>>Thanks,>Betsy>>--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------->>Looking for a new hobby? Want to make a new friend? >http://www.onelist.com>Come join one of 175,000 e-mail communities at ONElist!>>------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 3 Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 00:21:33 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Where is the Chicago-area meeting on Friday?Thanks!Betsy

Digest 29, originally sent Wed Jul 7 05:47:57 1999 There are 2

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Using DynaMyte for MDE From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Using DynaMyte for MDE From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 15:01:07 EDT From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxxSubject: Using DynaMyte for MDEHello -- Since many of you have more experience at this than I do, I'd like to ask for opinions. My daughter's teacher wants to use Frannie's DynaMyte during her MDE so that she is able to respond more readily to some of the questions. Has anyone ever done this before? We are looking for programming suggestions. Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?The list has been quiet lately -- I guess everyone's vacationing? We're trying to keep cool here. It's been over 100 degrees for the past 5 days + stifling humidity. Thanks in advance --Sandi (in sweltering Phila. PA)

Message: 2 Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 16:24:19 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Using DynaMyte for MDEIn a

Message dated 07/06/1999 12:02:36 PM Pacific Daylight Time, SopranMom1@xxx.xxx writes:

<< My daughter's teacher wants to use Frannie's DynaMyte during her MDE so that she is able to respond more readily to some of the questions. >>Is MDE Multidisciplinary evaluation? Pam Harris

Digest 30, originally sent Thu Jul 8 05:48:10 1999 There are 2

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Using DynaMyte for MDE From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Using DynaMyte for MDE From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 10:15:36 EDT From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Using DynaMyte for MDEIn a

Message dated 7/7/1999 5:48:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time, DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx writes:

<< Is MDE Multidisciplinary evaluation? Pam Harris >>Yes, it is. Sandi

Message: 2 Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 13:09:41 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Using DynaMyte for MDEIn a

Message dated 07/06/1999 12:02:36 PM Pacific Daylight Time, SopranMom1@xxx.xxx writes:

<< My daughter's teacher wants to use Frannie's DynaMyte during her MDE so that she is able to respond more readily to some of the questions. Has anyone ever done this before? >>Hi Sandi,My son Josh has used a DynaMyte for two school years now and before that he used a DigiVox for four years. He has been rec'ing special education services since he entered the school system at age 3. (so that means he has had three Multi-disciplinary evaluations) Josh ALWAYS has his DynaMyte accessible to him, within immediate reach. We have not programmed the device for specific responses, thus Josh has not used it specifically for evaluation assessments. He does use it to communicate, "Can you say that again?", "I need a break", requesting a bathroom break or a snack. He also uses it to stay on task by asking "How many more?" or "When will I be finished?". Josh's previous evaluations have been informal and across all domains. Interviews with peers and all staff are part of his evaluations. I am unsure how a device could be programmed for assessment purposes without the validity being questioned. I do remember the social worker interviewing Josh and his using his school friends name page and other all ready familiar communication pages to answer social questions.Hope this helps. If I was unclear let me know.Pam Harris

Digest 31, originally sent Fri Jul 9 05:20:37 1999 There are 2

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Using DynaMyte for MDE From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Using DynaMyte for MDE From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 8 Jul 1999 09:36:27 EDT From: SopranMom1@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Using DynaMyte for MDE

<< I am unsure how a device could be programmed for assessment purposes without the validity being questioned. I do remember the social worker interviewing Josh and his using his school friends name page and other all ready familiar communication pages to answer social questions. Hope this helps. >>Thanks Pam - it does help. I was wondering the same thing. Since she is too young to read (3.6) Frannie needs to recognize the pictures and sometimes their placement on the screen before she can use a screen effectively. The only way her DynaMyte could be used to answer "test" type questions (for lack of a better word) would be if I programmed the screens and then made them available to her right before the evaluation. I don't think this would be fair to her; we wouldn't know if she was answering incorrectly or just trying out a new screen :o) She does have an "All About Me" screen that she can use to answer questions about herself and her family, and a couple of other screens that she could use to answer basic questions. Her teacher was just trying to see if there was some way to incorporate the device into the MDE. I received the "invitation" yesterday; she will be evaluated over several different types of scales, so I think we will get a pretty clear picture. Thanks again for the input.Sandi

Digest 32, originally sent Sat Jul 10 05:53:37 1999 There are 5

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Reintroduction From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx 2. Re: Reintroduction From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 3. Re: Reintroduction From: hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 4. My darling is dead From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxx 5. Re: AAC Camp From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 06:25:05 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxxSubject: ReintroductionHello all,I have been a member of the list since it started but have been offlinefor a month or so. Since it's been a while, I thought I wouldreintroduce myself and our family.My name is Liz, husband, Mark, and we have a 9 year old son, Joey. Weare also in the process of adopting a 4 year old little girl fromThailand. We expect to travel in November.Joey uses a DynaMyte, sign language, vocalizations (mama, up, bye-bye)and pictures to communicate. We have always used a total communicationapproach with him. Previous AAC devices were the Dynavox, Digivox,Macaw, DAC and Wolf. He's been using some kind of AAC device since hewas almost 4. Joey will start the 4th grade this year and justreceived a laptop computer to help him with his work output in theclassroom. Joey has only had his DynaMyte a few months and we reallylove it. It has helped him become a more effective communicator. Heis also having a great time in his AAC camp this summer! (how great isthat!)Joey is a great kid! He has a wonderful sense of humor and fills ourlives with love and laughter. He likes books, videos, swinging andplaying on his swingset, swimming, horseback riding and playing on thecomputer. He also likes to shop at Target and make special trips tothe food store to buy ice cream sandwiches!I look forward to getting to know all of you and swiping your greatideas to use with Joey!Liz PetruzziS.FL USAlizpet@xxxxx.xxxDo You Yahoo!?Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

Message: 2 Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 11:40:01 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: ReintroductionHi Liz, Welcome back.What's a DAC?Can you tell us more about Joey's AAC Camp? What kinds of things is he doing? I have this dream about starting up an AAC camp but a three day adventure, staffed with kind and knowledgeable people. I envision entire families coming to the camp, a grandparent or two, also. Family-centered activities, training and information sessions for parents, sibling activities, and "individualized learning groups" for those who use AAC. Just me goin on again. : )Pam Harris

Message: 3 Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 13:54:49 -0400 From: hurley@xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSubject: Re: ReintroductionKeep thinking and maybe your dream will come alive. I wish there wassomething like a camp here in Michigan. Something a whole family could joinin. We need more for our kids. Cathy from Bellaire----------> From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx> To: DynaMicDuos@xxxxxxx.xxx> Subject: Re: [DynaMicDuos] Reintroduction> Date: Friday, July 09, 1999 11:40 AM> > From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx> > Hi Liz,> Welcome back.> What's a DAC?> Can you tell us more about Joey's AAC Camp? What kinds of things is he > doing? > I have this dream about starting up an AAC camp but a three dayadventure, > staffed with kind and knowledgeable people. I envision entire families > coming to the camp, a grandparent or two, also. Family-centeredactivities, > training and information sessions for parents, sibling activities, and > "individualized learning groups" for those who use AAC. > Just me goin on again. : )> Pam Harris>

Message: 4 Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 23:04:24 EDT From: SANDYB638@xxx.xxxSubject: My darling is deadMy darling Lauren died suddenly two weeks ago. I am in such pain, I can't stand it. I'm signing off all these lists now.

Message: 5 Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 22:40:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxxSubject: Re: AAC CampHi Pam,A DAC is a dinosaur of a device invented to torture parents, childrenand professionals. It's not made anymore and is similar to a Macaw butmore basic. Joey's had 8 choices and it was a BEAR to program. Itused Minspeak....thankfully he only had it about 2 weeks (trial device)and he moved on to a Macaw (not much better).AHHHH, AAC Camp. It's a wonderful thing! Joey is doing all kinds offun activities. All of the children in the camp communicate using somekind of AAC device. There are highschool student volunteers and othercamps are going on at the same time so the AAC campers get theopportunity to interact with typical peers as well. There's acertified teacher, a speech therapist, a certified Assistive Technologyperson, assistants, an intern and the volunteers. They take field trips into the community 1-2x/week and have really funthemes like an "unbirthday" party. What kid doesn't like to talk aboutbirthday stuff? It's been a very positive experience and I havenoticed an increase in Joey's communication. The other day, I wasgetting ready to go out and Joey wanted to use the computer. Iexplained we didn't have time and the next thing I know, I hear "nofair!" coming from the living room. How great is that?Pam, there is a camp like you described but you go for 2 weeks. It'scalled "Camp Chatterbox" run by Joan Bruno. I have the informationsomewhere, I'd have to excavate but I could dig it up! :0)Is anyone else's child going to an AAC camp?Take care,Liz PetruzziS.FL lizpet@xxxxx.xxx--- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote:> From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx> > Hi Liz,> Welcome back.> What's a DAC?> Can you tell us more about Joey's AAC Camp? What> kinds of things is he > doing? >

Digest 33, originally sent Wed Jul 14 05:18:24 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Sandy's sad news From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 20:19:09 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Sandy's sad newsHello everyone,I know you all join me in my sadness in reading Sandy's last post regarding the passing of her beloved granddaughter, Lauren. Words can seem so inadequate during times like these. Some of you have emailed me privately asking me for guidance in responding to such tragedy. I have very little to offer, I'm sorry. I did go to the archive and retrieved Sandy's introductory post. The incredible love and commitment is so vivid and apparent. I can only suggest that, if you wish, please email Sandy privately. I am sure that words of kindness will provide her with some comfort.Her email addy is SandyB638@xxx.xxxMay this serve as a reminder to hug those we love just a little tighter.Pam HarrisHi All:I'd like to introduce myself and my granddaughter. My name is Sandy Bean and I'm the grandma (mama) to Lauren, age 10. I have raised Lauren all her life and she brings nothing but happiness to me and everyone who comes in contact with her. Lauren has Spina Bifida, is paralyzed from the chest down, has slight movement in her arms, and can move her head enough to say "no." Lauren is trached for paralyzed vocal chords and thus, is completely nonverbal. Up until now, she has only been able to "talk" by shaking her head "no" and moving her left arm up and down for "yes." Basically, this is how she has communicated with us for all these years. She does have a small communication device that allows her to make a few choices, but it's awkward to use because it has to be continuously reprogrammed with choices that we make for her. Then she picks the one she wants most. Because Lauren has such minimal control of her arms, she accesses all her devices with a head switch, including her computer that we purchased last year. She was able to learn some basic switch games on the computer and we were really excited about that. It was still very difficult for us to know how much she really understood because, as I said, her only means of communication was yes and no. Then we found a new speech therapist that is extremely knowledgeable about augmentative communication. She recommended the Dynavox because of the picture and audio prompts. Last summer we were able to try it out for two weeks to see how Lauren would do. By the end of the second week, she communicated a thought in three parts. She said she wanted to go in the big van to Toys R Us to buy a Barney video. You can imagine our excitement to learn that she was able to tell us exactly what she wanted to do. Our therapist completed the forms for my insurance company and to my total surprise, they approved the device. We finally got our Dynavox a couple of weeks ago and we're slowly getting Lauren and ourselves used to it. The other day, she said she wanted to watch a video and then chose a Sing Along tape. Her nurse and I know nothing about programming it or using it, except to turn it on. So far, our ST, has done all the programming. The other problem is that Lauren can only access the device while she's in her wheelchair. She is in her chair for several hours a day, but the times she is in her bed or on the sofa watching cartoons she is unable to use it.So far, the only thing I don't like about the Dynavox is the voices. We are presently using a man's voice because it seems to be the easiest to understand. I would really like Lauren to have a child's voice. I guess we can't have everything. I, as well as her nurses and therapists, now have high hopes for my little girl. She is schooled and has all her therapies at home because she is so medically fragile. The school recently agreed to give us ten hours of homebound school per week, plus 3 hours of speech therapy. We are all very optimistic about her progress, but we all have to get on board with the Dynavox. We have a lot to learn and we're open to any and all suggestions. Since we're such novices, I'm really looking forward to talking to and learning from you pros. I hope I haven't bored you. Get me started on my baby and it's hard to stop me. Sincerely,Sandy

Digest 34, originally sent Thu Jul 15 05:31:13 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Literacy in AAC seminar From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:05:46 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Literacy in AAC seminarHi all,(Note: I sent this same

Message to the apraxia-kids list. Apologies for duplication to those on both lists.)I think I mentioned to this group that I was going to a week-long seminar on Literacy in AAC, taught by David Koppenhaver (now at Gustavus Adolphus College, south of Minneapolis) and Karen Erickson (now at University of New Hampshire), both of whom used to be in North Carlina at the Center for Literacy and Disabilities.Well, the seminar was last week, I'm back, and I'd like to report that it was *great*. I learned a lot about developing literacy in students, especially students with disabilities, especially students who are AAC users. I got to be part of a great group of speech & language pathologists, OTs, special education teachers and coordinators, and parents. I got confirmation that most of what I wanted and was doing for Tory was right, right, right - wonderful feeling, that - and I have a list of things to change to make things even better. Got to get with the school about changing the IEP for the fall (once I know where we will be living in the fall, but that's a whole 'nother story). They weren't going to be expecting/demanding enough of her and now I am confident enough of that to insist on better.If your child is anywhere from late preschool age on up and you are concerned about developing his/her literacy, I couldn't recommend the seminar more highly. Especially if your child has physical disabilities along with speech, it will be an immense help. There's a website at the end of this

Message that will eventually have information about the next seminar, in July 2000.It's hard to do more than scrape the surface of all I learned, but here are six major points. These stick with me because they are key to what my daughter needs right now -- I'm sure other people would come away with additional key items.1. The point of using AAC is COMMUNICATION, not button-pushing or switch using. Respond to the child's

Message, not the behavior. Don't require that things that were understood be communicated in some other medium. We caught ourselves on videotape with some doozies of this. In our defense, we were taping for me to show at the seminar, and so were trying to get Tory to demonstrate things we knew she had done previously with the device. But it led to saying things like, "Tory, tell us your name." Or "Yes, I understand you want such-and-such. Now tell me using your talker." Wrong! Much better approaches are either to model using the device to get across a

Message, or to address things at the

Message level. ("I didn't understand you. Maybe you could use your talker to help me understand.")2. To the greatest extent possible, children need to be provided opportunities to THINK and LEARN, not just opportunities to participate. A child who learns to push a button to say a

Message he/she doesn't understand is participating, and that's good, but you can't stop there. It takes more work on everyone's part for kids with disabilities to have the opportunity to be active participants. More often they get to watch while others do things. Or they get to answer literal-level questions ("what color was the boy's shirt?") but not inference questions ("why did he do that?") because literal-level vocabulary is easier to program into a device and access. You have to plan ahead to have their vocabulary ready, and you have to teach them strategies for answering open-ended questions.3. Good literacy education is good literacy education, for all kids. You can never be sure what approach will "click" for any one kid, so all children should get exposed every day to "four blocks": (1) guided reading instruction, (2) self-selected reading, (3) word-level (e.g. phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, etc.), and (4) writing. A reference for this "four block" model is Cunningham, P. M. (1999) Classrooms that work: They all can read & write. New York: Longman. This reference doesn't specifically discuss kids with disabilities. For that, try Koppenhaver, D. A., Spadorcia, S. A., & Erickson, K. A. (1998). How do we provide inclusive early literacy instruction for children with disabilities? In S. B. Neuman & K. A. Roskos (Eds.), Children achieving: Best practices in early literacy. (pp. 77-97). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.4. One big barrier for kids with disabilities is a linear model of literacy that says you go from listening to speaking to reading to writing, and you have to master each step before you go on to the next. This is not a success model, it's a barrier model. It leads to kids stopped at "readiness" or word-level stages for YEARS, and not given access to anything meaningful in print because they can't pass a test on letters of the alphabet. But the pieces interact, and they develop simultaneously if they are presented simultaneously.5. Even typical children often don't get access to writing as soon as they should. Writing is an integral part of learning to read and learning to think about what you have read. Children with physical disabilities, even mild ones, are often even more limited in their access to writing. Don't wait until the OT has taught them to form all of their letters before you have them write. Writing is not about using a pencil, it's about putting thoughts on paper. Give them access to a keyboard if pencils are a problem. Hook an AAC user's device up to a computer or printer and let them print some

Messages. If they have severe physical as well as speech impairments, give them access to the alphabet with a scanning and switch system. But let them go through the "scribbling" stage with *their* technology.6. If you are in doubt about whether a child "gets it" when you are dealing with some concept, err in the direction of assuming that they do. If they don't, you'll figure it out soon enough. If they do, and you treat them as if they don't, you risk turning them off in boredom or frustration. I apply this to communication attempts, too. If you think they communicated something, act as though they did. To do anything else risks teaching them that communication doesn't work.Two websites: The second will have information on next year's seminar, to be held in July 2000, posted on it in the fall.http://www.alliedhealth.unc.edu/lit2k/. Website for 9th Symposium onLiteracy and Disabilities to be held in Research Triangle Park, NC, Feb.3-5, 2000. Keynote by Hugh Catts. Post-conference miniseminar by KarenErickson and David Koppenhaver. Presentation proposals due 9/1/99?http://www.gac.edu/~dkoppenh/summerseminar/info.html. Website forinformation about 7th Summer Seminar on Literacy in AAC. Update for 8thSummer Seminar to be added Fall, 1999.BetsyMom to Beth, 6.11, nda, and Tory, 5.4, apraxia, microcephaly, AAC user

Digest 35, originally sent Fri Jul 16 07:45:42 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Literacy in AAC seminar From: Adrienne Lee Duris <gs14ald@xxxxxxx.xxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 13:05:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Adrienne Lee Duris <gs14ald@xxxxxxx.xxx.xxxxSubject: Re: Literacy in AAC seminarI read the posting on this literacy seminar with great interest. I ampresently a teacher of students with visual impairments; however, mymaster's degree is in orthopedic impairments with my primary interestbeing in assistive technology, primarily AACs. If you have any websitesin regard to the the information that was presented at this conference.That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!Adrienne L. DurisTeacher of Students with Visual ImpairmentsDeKalb County SchoolsGeorgia

Digest 36, originally sent Sat Jul 17 05:33:29 1999 There are 3

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Literacy in AAC seminar From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 2. Re: Literacy in AAC seminar From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx 3. Re: Literacy in AAC seminar From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 15:58:51 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Literacy in AAC seminarIn a

Message dated 07/14/1999 9:07:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

<< You have to plan ahead to have their vocabulary ready, and you have to teach them strategies for answering open-ended questions. >>Hi Betsy,Thanks for sharing some of the info from the seminar. Can you elaborate on this point for me? I am looking to start a discussion of programing and implementation strategies that can support our kids to answer open-ended questions. Thanks.Pam Harris(mom to Josh age 10, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome and uses a DynaMyte)

Message: 2 Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 16:38:14 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Literacy in AAC seminarIn a

Message dated 7/16/99 3:00:49 PM Central Daylight Time, Pjh1443@xxx.xxx writes:

<>Yeah, this is one of the tough ones, isn't it? Trying to get Tory's vocabulary to be comprehensive, well organized and accessible feels like my biggest challenge. I wish I knew the answer to what ought to be in a core vocabulary and how it ought to be organized. Lists of most common words tend to be full of little words like is, was, of, the ... lots of things an AAC user often won't bother with in the interest of communication efficiency. I think what I want is something like the dictionary in the sample "child" user on the 3100, but customized to Tory's vocabulary - that one has too much in it to be useful to her right now. I haven't gotten around to trying to implement one, though.As far as tactics mentioned in the seminar, one big suggestion was to program and teach the use of a "clues" page for the inevitable situations where the user wants to say something that isn't programmed into the device. With the clues the user identifies what category something is (person, animal, food, action, etc.), maybe some identifying characteristics (big, little, what color, etc.), and if they are developing some early literacy, what letter it starts with or an attempted spelling. Often these are enough to let the communication partner guess what's meant. Or by themselves they can let the user participate in the conversation. Suppose the class is discussing a book where a boy brings home one animal after another and wants to keep it as a pet, and the teacher asks the kids to predict what he will bring home next. The AAC user may want to predict he'll bring home an elephant, but can't find that on his device because it's over under "my trip to the zoo" from months ago. With the clues page he can predict the boy will bring home a "big grey animal," and the teacher can write that down on the flip chart with the rest of the class responses and keep going.They suggested that you could begin teaching use of this strategy by playing a guessing game with three photos, and using the clues page to describe them until it's clear which one is meant.I have programmed a clues page for Tory but haven't started teaching her to use it yet. I'll let you know how it goes.Betsy

Message: 3 Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 17:24:45 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Literacy in AAC seminarIn a

Message dated 07/16/1999 1:39:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time, EBBizot@xxx.xxx writes:

<< With the clues the user identifies what category something is (person, animal, food, action, etc.), maybe some identifying characteristics (big, little, what color, etc.), and if they are developing some early literacy, what letter it starts with or an attempted spelling. >>For Josh, categorizing is tough. We had to go the spelling way, immersing him in written word at school and at home for three years. Several years ago, I did modify the Dictionary Page, creating a template of 9 search buttons with scroll up and down. He uses it infrequently and not very effectively, mostly for exploration rather that word searching. It was when you said, "Children need opportunities to THINK and LEARN", that something clicked. We need to continuously separate participation for the sake of participating (which sometimes is the only appropriate objective) with participating for the sake of learning.I believe that if we continue to ask Josh open-ended questions we are also teaching him to ask questions of others. I remember when Josh was very young, we were taught to always offer him choices, thirsty? OK, what do you want juice or milk, etc. ALWAYS offering choices, making Josh communicate his selection, giving him some control. Then we had to adjust the entire agenda, to continue to expand Josh's communication. Now we are open-ended, thirsty? OK, what do you want to drink? No more concrete choices. How about others, how are you supporting responses to open-ended questions?Pam Harris(Josh's Mom - age 10 and uses a DynaMyte)

Digest 37, originally sent Sun Jul 18 05:37:29 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Open Ended Questions From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 19:23:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxxSubject: Re: Open Ended QuestionsHi all,In regards to open ended questions, we use a foremat similiar to whatPam described. One challenge we face is when we ask the question, ifJoey doesn't feel like answering it, he'll ignore the questioncompletely and tell me something HE wants to tell me that is usuallyunrelated. I guess that should be ok, except we usually want ananswer, which is why we are asking or sometimes people who don't knowJoey assume he doesn't understand the question or is incapable ofunderstanding/responding. :o(Of course, when it comes to food, I never have a problem. Questionslike "Where do you want to eat?" or "What do you want to eat/drink?" ALWAYS get an answer. I would just like him to answer me when I ask,"Joey what did you do at school today?" Instead of telling me he hadpopcorn at the movies when we went to see Tarzan. I ask again, "Joeywhat did you do at school today?" Apparently this topic does notintrest him because I'll get something like, "I got computer games forChristmas." Then if I try to model by bringing up the appropriatescreen and pointing ..."Did you go on the slide or have art?" I get"Don't touch my DynaMyte." So, we have trouble getting answers whenit's a topic he doesn't want to discuss.....I guess that's pretty muchall kids!Liz PetruzziS.FLlizpet@xxxxx.xxx

Digest 38, originally sent Tue Jul 20 06:01:28 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Open Ended Questions From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 12:14:02 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Open Ended QuestionsIn a

Message dated 07/17/1999 4:23:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lizpet@xxxxx.xxx writes:

<< One challenge we face is when we ask the question, if Joey doesn't feel like answering it, he'll ignore the question completely and tell me something HE wants to tell me that is usually unrelated. >>Hi Liz,Josh also responds this way to questions he is uninterested in acknowledging. We usually respond to him and then ask again. Someone told us a long time ago, "never ask Josh a question without expecting and getting an answer". I'm thinking about this now, and perhaps we should model an appropriate response for Josh to let unfamiliar people know he heard their question and just is opting to not answer it. Anyone have any ideas for vocab for this?Pam Harris

Digest 39, originally sent Wed Jul 21 07:08:23 1999 There are 2

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Open Ended Questions From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx 2. Re: Open Ended Questions From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:30:32 -0400 (EDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxxSubject: Re: Open Ended QuestionsHi Pam,I don't know if this is along the lines you are thinking but when Joeytalks about something unrelated to the question he has been asked, Iusually say something like, "I know you ate popcorn at the Tarzanmovie, did you have art at school?" Joey usually responds, "Popcorn,popcorn popcorn....Tarzan Movie" and I'll say, "YES, I KNOW you hadpopcorn at the Tarzan movie, did you have art at school?" Joeyresponds, "I went to the Tarzan movie and had popcorn" SOMETIMES, he will finally answer MY question but with a MAJOR attitudelike he can't believe he has to answer such an insignificant question. But I think a lot of kids (verbal and non verbal) don't like to answertheir parents questions. Tell me, Pam is that what you were after or were you thinking ofsomething else? What do you do when Josh responds with his owninformation (unrelated) to your questions?Liz Petruzzi, Proud mom to "chatty" Joey, 9 (DynaMyte),S.FLlizpet@xxxxx.xxx--- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote:> From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx> > In a

Message dated 07/17/1999 4:23:30 PM Pacific> Daylight Time, > lizpet@xxxxx.xxx writes:> >

<< One challenge we face is when we ask the> question, if> Joey doesn't feel like answering it, he'll ignore> the question> completely and tell me something HE wants to tell> me that is usually> unrelated. >>> Hi Liz,> Josh also responds this way to questions he is> uninterested in acknowledging. > We usually respond to him and then ask again. > Someone told us a long time > ago, "never ask Josh a question without expecting> and getting an answer". > I'm thinking about this now, and perhaps we should> model an appropriate > response for Josh to let unfamiliar people know he> heard their question and > just is opting to not answer it. Anyone have any> ideas for vocab for this?> Pam Harris> >

Digest 40, originally sent Fri Jul 23 04:52:50 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Open Ended Questions From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxx

Message: 1 Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 10:02:47 -0400 (EDT) From: Elizabeth Petruzzi <lizpet@xxxxx.xxxxSubject: Re: Open Ended Questions--- Pjh1443@xxx.xxx wrote:> What I'm thinking of is a general statement that we> can model and get Josh to > use. For example, "I don't want to talk about that> now," or "May I tell you > about something else?", or even "Later with that". > AHHHH...Now I see what you mean! That is a great idea. That's whyyou're the queen. :o) I bet Joey would use the "I don't want to talkabout that" phrase. I'm going to try it and see how it goes. I'llkeep the list posted.I agree it's important for people to know he heard and understood thequestion and is choosing to ignore it. In the past people think heeither doesn't understand or isn't capable of answering a question. There's also my favorite, "Oh, he's not "using" his DynaMyte, he's just"PLAYING". Not treating Joey's communication as meaningful makes meCRAZY!!!! He knows exactly what he's saying.....even if we don't. Thanks for the great suggestion.Liz Petruzzi, PROUD mom of Joey, 9 (DynaMyte)S.FLlizpet@xxxxx.xxx

Digest 41, originally sent Sat Jul 24 05:04:11 1999 There is 1

Message in this issue. Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: Open Ended Questions From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 10:50:12 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: Open Ended QuestionsIn a

Message dated 7/20/99 3:31:37 PM Central Daylight Time, Pjh1443@xxx.xxx writes:

<>and Liz added:

<< I agree it's important for people to know he heard and understood thequestion and is choosing to ignore it. In the past people think heeither doesn't understand or isn't capable of answering a question. There's also my favorite, "Oh, he's not "using" his DynaMyte, he's just"PLAYING". Not treating Joey's communication as meaningful makes meCRAZY!!!! He knows exactly what he's saying.....even if we don't. >>Hi ... I've been out of town and am just catching up on this discussion. One thing that occurred to me, thinking about my typically-developing almost-7-year-old, is that if you want your child to be able to respond in the typical way to a question about what they did at school, the vocabulary you need to give them is "Nothing." As in, "What did you do at school today?" "Nothing." AAC users should have the same ability to drive their parents nuts with this that all other kids have. :-)I don't think that works for other kinds of open-ended questions, though. "I don't want to talk about that" is probably a good general-purpose phrase. You might also be able to use "I don't know." It acknowledges having heard the question and brushes it off before moving on to something more interesting. Pretty kid-typical, I think. :-)Betsy

Digest 42, originally sent Sun Jul 25 05:04:24 1999 There are 2

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Digest: 1. Re: TALK ABOUT FUN From: Janemtj@xxx.xxx 2. Re: TALK ABOUT FUN From: EBBizot@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 14:06:47 EDT From: Janemtj@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: TALK ABOUT FUNHello everyone, Several weeks ago when I first singed on I told you we were getting ready for a summer AAC camp. Well the camp is now over and the kids and I are recovering, but it was a great success. We were very excited that in the very first year we had 9 kids enrolled with various speech ablities and many different access issues. We were able to have several therapists, Speech and OT's who helped with the camp and 4 vendors were in attendance as well. We secured devices from several companies for trial with the kids and borrowed items from local sources as well. The parents had presentations on the different lauguage bases that vendors use in devices, why communication is important early in life, parent advocacy, funding, evaluations, and a special presentation by someone who uses a device to communicate to show parents the possibilities that their kids have. The kids did many different activies like making cookies, edible playdough, a bear hunt,and a scavenger hunt, plus worked with lots of devices. The therapists made notes about what they tried and observed with the kids and put the notes in binders to take home. The vendors spent time with the families answering questions and showing kids and families how to use devices. We really tried to pull lots of info into one central location. Now the most exciting part for me. Ryan , who is 8 and has had his Dynamyte since November, was showing his Dynamyte to a little girl and showing her how to use it for story time. They had a great time . Ryan has also been using the word prediction keyboards ( just started in the last three weeks) and was showing off his skills to some of the presentors at our camp. Everything is really begining to fall into place and he is seeing more possibilites with his device and is making more effort to speak clearly because he can read things from the sceen also. (Reading skills are really improving too.) Hope everyone has a great weekend! Jane

Message: 2 Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 14:32:52 EDT From: EBBizot@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: TALK ABOUT FUNIn a

Message dated 7/24/99 1:07:29 PM Central Daylight Time, Janemtj@xxx.xxx writes:

<< Everything is really begining to fall into place and he is seeing more possibilites with his device and is making more effort to speak clearly because he can read things from the sceen also. (Reading skills are really improving too.) >>Congratulations! This sounds great.Betsy

Digest 43, originally sent Sun Aug 1 09:04:12 1999 There are 2

Messages in this issue.Topics in today's

Digest: 1. Re: TALK ABOUT FUN From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx 2. A "DynaMyte"story From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxx

Message: 1 Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 21:21:35 EDT From: Pjh1443@xxx.xxxSubject: Re: TALK ABOUT FUNIn a

Message dated 7/24/99 1:07:30 PM Central Daylight Time, Janemtj@xxx.xxx writes:

<< The parents had presentations on the different lauguage bases that vendors use in devices, why communication is important early in life, parent advocacy, funding, evaluations, and a special presentation by someone who uses a device to communicate t