Hello,

I've received a consultation request from a family for computer access and
software adaptations for their child, and was hoping that those who were
much more experienced could offer up some suggestions.

Tyson is a ten year old boy who has spastic quadriplegia and many visual
difficulties. He uses a power wheelchair with four switches for mobility.
Tyson currently uses a dynovox to communicate quite successfully, using a
series of switches.  The dynavox is mounted on the back of his wheelchair as
he only uses the auditory feedback to communicate.  We are looking for some
software ideas and computer use ideas to work with Tyson on, for:
1. social skills (as he is a very concrete thinker and school wants to work
on improving his abstract thinking skills)
2.  to work on improving his visual tracking
3.  for email (picture symbol to text ... then to beam it to a computer to
email a friend).

Would Discover switch be an idea?
Is there software out there that would work on such goals, but have auditory
feedback and be visually non-distracting?
Does anyone know of software that works with picture symbols, that you can
beam into the computer?  Can the dynavox be used for this purpose?


Thanks for any advice you can give!!

Deb


Debra Dufour
Occupational Therapist
WRC - Children's Program