eSpecially Ben

The training session went well. About 8-10 people attended including the head speech person from the school district and a representative from the assistive technology department. Ben's teacher, the Exceptional Children facilitator, the school OT, PT and SLP were there, along with the principal and dean. Ben's private OT, Sarah, attended as well.  Sarah was extremely helpful to the discussion because she added technical information about positioning and general therapy information. She was able to talk about using the NOVA Chat from a therapist's point of view. It was invaluable having her there. It also prevented anyone from thinking, "This mother is crazy, thinking her son can do all these things."  The session began with a general discussion about why it is important to use the device, At the end, the group watched the video, which was a perfect way to end the session (the video also disproved "the mother is crazy" theory. Thank you Ben.) I was

This year Ben has a new teacher and staff working with him at school, and they are not familiar with the NOVA Chat. Last year was a learning year for us: we took our time getting used to the device at home and at school. In an email to the principal this summer, I told her that I was raising the bar in terms of communication for Ben and using the NOVA Chat. She told me to go for it. Luckily, she has been supportive of my initiatives since she took over her position last year. Tomorrow, I am training the teachers, assistants and therapists who work with Ben. I also requested that the district's head speech person and a representative from augmentative communication department attend. I am hoping they will have ideas on how else the NOVA Chat may be used in the classroom throughout the day. I also want them there for accountability - I want this training to lead to consistent use within the school. Our plan is to go over a short handout that explains why using the NOVA Chat i

Now you tell me - doesn't it look like Captain Kirk might materialize at any moment? Easter Seal/UCP of North Carolina and Virginia has a multi-sensory room at their Charlotte location. Ben tested it out this summer. It was $25 for the use of the room for one hour. The staff member at Easter Seals stayed with Ben and Sarah, the OT, the entire time. Ben refused to enter the room. He went so far as to pull his straps from his chair around his arms, something he NEVER does. (In fact I was lead to believe he did not have that particular skill.) He had to be rolled into the room and eased into the situation. Ahhh...the waterbed. Finally, Ben found something he liked: a large waterbed. For Ben it combined sleeping and water, his two favorite pastimes. If they had a TV playing Bob the Builder, we may never have gotten him out. Ben's OT, Sarah, helped him experience the different elements within the room.  This is what the room looks like before en