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Things got “cooler” on the SLDC campus this semester thanks to innovative staff, donations, a generous grant and a new technology. Continually looking for news ways to engage students, staff explored the use of iPads last April during National Autism Awareness Month. They then requested (and received) funding from the Phillies Philanthropy group and a grant from the Sempra Employees Giving Network to introduce the device to students. The reaction of students to the iPad was both positive and immediate.
“Students become much more focused and stay engaged for longer periods of time,” said SLDC Speech Therapist Jennifer Bard. “Once we have a student’s attention, it’s easier to work together.”
The iPads have quickly become a popular item on campus. Not only were they used by speech therapists, but occupational therapists and teachers have used them. Lightweight and portable, the iPad offers a hi-def picture with outstanding sound quality. The touch screen also has its advantages. No longer do students need to overcome the point-and-click mouse hurdle of traditional computer ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) and educational programs.
“The iPads have become a therapeutic learning tool,” said SLDC’s Speech Department Supervisor Sara Jones. “More important, they’re a voice for our students.”
Now, thanks to money raised by I Padrini di Antonello, SLDC will purchase 10 new iPads to use on campus. This group of businessmen, who privately support children’s causes, normally only fund services that go to an individual child. But the group understood the impact that the iPads could have on many individual children and approved the purchase.
There are hundreds of iPad applications that can be utilized in the classroom and therapy sessions.
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