LeRoy Haynes Center Displays the Joys of Using the iPad

           On Dec. 22, Assistive Technology Specialist Nancy Brady, MA-EdSP, ATS, spoke on “Using the iPad as a communication device for students with limited language abilities” and its application to children with autism this month in this year’s first free autism parenting workshop sponsored by the School for Autism at the LeRoy Haynes Center in La Verne.

            Brady showed how the iPad can be used for communication, academics and life skills for those who use and need assistive technology.

            Topics included addressing motor and movement difficulties when using assistive technology, how to support those movement difficulties so the user can be successful, how to find an appropriate communication application to use, and how to customize “apps” to the individual.

            She also shared and demonstrate several fun and highly engaging apps for the iPad and iPod touch for a variety of users and age levels.

            Many in the audience were parents and teachers of children who have or may have autism.

            Brady, the founder of S.T.A.R. (Supported Typing and Autism Resources) in Orange County, works as an Inclusion Specialist and Assistive Technology Specialist teaching children with autism how to use assistive technology for communication and academic purposes.

            A resident of San Clemente, she has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and sociology from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in special education from Chapman University.

            In addition, she holds a certificate in Assistive Technology from Cal State University Dominguez Hills.

            This fourth annual series of highly successful and informative workshops was designed to provide information to parents who typically face numerous challenges with their children who have autism or related disorders. 

            Autism occurs in one out of 150 births in the United States.