Does your high schooler have an IEP that allows use of an Ipad or laptop?

[angwill]

I am going through this now with my son. We have not officially started the IEP process, we are currently having testing done. I am gathering information and am finding this thread useful for the most part.

I am curious to know more about speech to text apps available. Has anyone had a child use this for notes? I would think that with all the side conversations, etc in a HS class that this would be difficult to use. Does the teacher wear a wireless microphone hooked up to the computer or does the computer sit closer to the teacher? I would imagine that the app would have some of the same issues with distractions that my son has

How does the scribe work? I am a teacher in a PreK through 3rd school and at this age there is no stigma attached to leaving the classroom for different reasons. Kids are in and out all day so being pulled out during the written part of an exam is nothing different, but at HS I can see him being singled out because of this. Also, since this has never been an issue before it is very out of the norm for him also.

My son is in high school and gets pulled out of the class for testing in a small room with another teacher and a couple other kids. They read the tests to the kids. Help with the scantrons and writting if needed. I just asked him and he said nobody cares or questions why they leave the classroom when there is testing. The teacher simply has the aid catch them at the door and send them to another room. Middle school is more where kids are into each others business and might say something about a kid getting pulled out of class. Still DS didn't have a problem with that in middle school either. If a school tries using that as a reason not to do it they simply don't want to be bothered providing the accomodation.

 

[zurgswife]

I didn't realize you worked For my son's school....as I said, all his exams were written.

Did your son have learning issues and an IEP. My son does and his tests were read to him by a proctor and the answer were written in many times by the proctor.

So, yes they were written paper tests but my son had assistance in taking them. He was also given the option at times to answer the questions orally.

My son did have a laptop as needed for class notes and such but did not use the laptop for tests.

 

[daughtersrus]

I would think that this would fall under "assistive technology" in the IEP. Technically, if it's written into the IEP, the district could be responsible for the costs. Maybe there is a way that you can add "provided by parents" into the paperwork. The district may be more open about the idea if they know that they won't be financially responsible.

Edited to add... Here is an article about a local young man that uses an iPod.

http://woodridge.patch.com/articles/ipod-gives-woodrige-man-a-voice

iPod Gives Woodridge Man a Voice

Bolingbrook Walgreens' Jason Grudem recognized during SEASPAR’s second Believe and Achieve Banquet.

By Erin Sauder
Email the author
June 14, 2011

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Like most 22-year-olds, Jason Grudem can be found with his iPod Touch in tow uploading photos and logging his daily activities.

But unlike most, the Woodridge resident is using the device to communicate.

Diagnosed with autism around age 3, Grudem has verbal apraxia of speech and is not able to speak. But through his use of the iPod Touch, he has developed the ability to communicate and work as a service clerk at Walgreens in Bolingbrook.

“Jason carries it in his pocket all the time and he’ll pull it out everywhere,” said his mother, Althea.

In May, Grudem was recognized during SEASPAR’s second Believe and Achieve Banquet, which paid tribute to its program participants, community partners, volunteers and staff at the event.

Providing year-round recreation services for people with disabilities, SEASPAR is an extension of the park districts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lisle, Westmont, and Woodridge, and the villages of Brookfield, Indian Head Park and Western Springs.

Grudem was honored with the Achievement Award, which is given to a participant who has overcome a significant life obstacle or had a very important breakthrough which changed his or her life.

During the SEASPAR banquet, Grudem wrote a speech and programmed it into his iPod Touch. Using the Proloquo2Go application which has a speaking function, he was able to hold the iPod Touch up to a microphone and have his speech read aloud in front of the more than 300 people.

“That was really exciting,” Althea Grudem said.

Jason Grudem has been involved with SEASPAR since he was 5.

“One of the great joys of our staff is to see an individual we met as a preschooler and watch them develop into terrific young adults,” said Executive Director Susan Friend. “And Jason’s a shining example of that. We’re thrilled at the success he’s achieved.”

Last year he was featured in Walgreens' 2010 annual report. Grudem is one of hundreds of employees with disabilities who work in Walgreens stores, distribution centers and other locations.

At work, Grudem is able to use his iPod Touch to communicate with customers and employees.

On the weekends, he uses his iPod Touch to keep track of his activities so he can tell his friends what he did when he sees them on Monday.

“He’s a pretty cool kid,” said his mother. “He’s very engaging and happy. He likes to be around people.”
Related Topics: Seaspar