Boo Bear is back in school and completely loving it. He loves riding the bus, adores his teachers and is happy to see friends. He has recently been introduced to a new communication device called Nova Chat. It is very similar to Touch Chat, used by all his classmates, but unlike the Touch Chat, Nova Chat is not on an iPad. It simply functions for communication, not games or videos or anything else. One of the options on Nova Chat is to say ” I want to watch PBS Kids”. Boo kept asking for this the other day, which I thought was odd as he has not watched PBS Kids since elementary school. He used to watch it in the morning while waiting for the bus. Anyway, Peter put the app on his home iPad just to see what he would do with. At first he did not really pay any attention to it. After a while he clicked on it and Sid the Science Kid popped up. Boo let out the biggest squeal! He loves that show. He watched an entire episode and then seemed content. Since then he has been using the Nova Chat to tell me when he wants to watch a show on PBS. I was impressed that he generalized that a show that he used to watch on TV can also be watched on his iPad.
For a long time, when Boo has wanted something he will lead a family member or PCA to the desired object and sign “please”. Now when he does this I direct him to his new device and ask him to make a choice there. He is rapidly learning that he can ask for specific foods or drinks or activities, without any of the guesswork on my part. The device is on loan to us through the end of the month. At that time we will decide if we want to purchase it through insurance or try a different device. At this point, I am leaning towards getting it. The company is really good with repairs and trouble shooting and it is a device that he can hang onto after he graduates, unlike the school iPad which he will have to return after his schooling is done.
So, the sun is out, the birds are singing the dogs are demanding that I take them for a run and life is good. Mr. Boo is becoming a good communicator. Never say never. Be good humans. Peace y’all.
Harriet's Hedgehogs and Autism Advocacy 