Lee (Secondary Group)

1. Lee(Secondary Group) Summer 2012 C & I 595-30 Jessica Wilsey

2. The Student • Lee is a junior, he has limited use of his left hand, but can use his right arm quite well. He uses a motorized chair and is strapped into a stander for short periods of the day. He vocalizes but doesn't communicate with words, write, or use a communication device. He has been resistant to using communication devices, including the iPad and it isn't known what incentive would intrigue him to use one. Lee uses a switch to blend his food, but is fed by a support person, he is easily distracted by the activities happening outside the windows and has even skipped class to run through the sprinklers. He likes to go fast in his chair and sometimes risks running into people. Support staff goes with Lee to his regular ed classes such as math. He worked selling concessions and loved it. However, he has had extreme reactions to peanuts in the past and so he was removed from the concessions area for fear he would react to the products containing peanuts.

3. Settings • School-in the classroom and to use with peers. • Community • Sidewalks • Public areas; ie. The mall

4. Tasks • Lee would benefit from more meaningful communication and voc experiences. More peer interactions may promote Lee's desire to explore communication. • A behavior plan seems to be in need to curb his rebellious acts, perhaps a peer mentor would be helpful in modeling correct behavior. • His fast pace in his chair could be dangerous when on the streets and sidewalks.

5. Needs • A communication device; he has an iPad. He seems to like MyTalk; he has access to Proloquo2Go- it can be customized to look similar to MyTalk. (since it is cheaper than purchasing MyTalk) • A tray to hold his communication device, so staff/peers do not have to hold it. • Accessible and secure storage for his iPad • A peanut-free environment to allow peer interaction in the lunch room and/or concession stand. • He needs allergy testing to ensure level of allergy-as family has mentioned thinking he may have grown out his allergy

6. Source Search • Emp Tech • Waterproof Keyboard • Beneficial for protecting Lee’s equipment. • Rugged iPad case with speakers • This will keep his iPad safe and make it more audible as a communication device. • Foam iPad Case with stand • Lee would still need a surface for this to rest on, but it is a nice looking case that doubles as a stander. The green, almost matches the green color he picked out for his chair!

7. Source Search • Able Data • Aides for daily living • Drinking-Cups-Cups with spout, I was looking for an age appropriate cup with a lid, but did not find anything I liked. • I think a simple water bottle like a CamelBak would work well for him, given his chewing and sucking abilities. • Handi-Holder • This is a pretty nice mount that would fit nicely on his chair without sticking out too far.

8. Source Search • Assistive Tech • Assistive feeding- Oral Motor / Swallowing • Offers many different categories, but lacks images. I also looked here for trays and tables, but had a hard time finding anything that would attach to a power chair easily. • Mobility- Activities of Daily Living- Feeding / Eating / Drinking • Offers 30 different items from grabbers, cups, trays, and cup holders. The few images that came through did not look like useful items.

9. List of Results • Water bottle • Drink holder • iPad Case • Zagg InvidibleShieldscreen cover for iPad • Waterproof keyboard

10. Potential Supports • Program Proloquo2Go to have a maximum of 6 choices per screen for Lee. Only have a few choices that are dynamic until he gets better at navigating the program. • The school has already purchased Proloquo2Go; it is readily accessible and customizable for his needs. • Lee also needs an accessible and secure location to store his iPad, so that he can help to remember to get it each morning. • Once Lee has been taught a task 2 or 3 times he starts needing fewer prompts and will be able to assist in getting his iPad every morning with little direction within a month. • I feel that he needs to have a custom made tray. Norco, in Missoula, makes them out of fiberglass. • A tray would allow Lee to have a consistent and stable location for his AAC, his feeding supplies, school work, etc, which will give him more independence.

11. Potential Supports Cont • I would like to try a low tech device with some pre-programmed jokes (as suggested on the discussion board). • I feel that if Lee has something like a talking photo album with some school and age appropriate jokes, simple requests, i.e. give me some space, he will be able to have more positive interactions with peers and hopefully be encouraged to use his AAC. • I would also like for Lee to be in a social skills group with an AAC, to hopefully facilitate his desire to communicate. • Again, if Lee is given more opportunities to use his communication skills/devices in peer settings he may be more encouraged to use his communication device.