Class 3

Last weeks class was at the same time fascinating and inspiring.  We started the class by “meeting” a student with cerebral palsy who is making use of AT in his grade 7 classroom.

We watched a number of videos that highlight the students’ development and use of technology in his life.

Cerebral palsy presents itself differently in every person who has CP.  In the case we viewed last night the students mobility is several restricted.  He has limited use of his hands and relies on the use of a wheelchair for mobility.  He suffers from uncontrollable muscle movements that cause his head to move on a continuous basis.    He can talk but his speech can be difficult to understand.  Cognitively he is at grade level and is a very bright, articulate young man.

To be able to learn and be a full member of his class and school he uses a number of assistive technologies.  One of the most interesting was his switch-controlled computer.  The switch is a piece of hardware that is attaches to his headrest.  The student controls the computer and its software by activating the switch to make his selections with his head.   With this system he is able to use software to complete the reading and writing tasks expected of the students in his class.

As we progressed through the students’ development over the years several important points kept coming to mind.  The first is the student himself.  He is highly motivated and eager to learn as well as make use of new technologies.  He also has a very supportive family and community.  They are involved in his life and work hard to help provide him with everything he needs to be as independent as he can.

The final point that kept coming across was training, training, training.  In order for the technologies this student uses to be effective a great deal of training and support is required.  Everyone who interacts with him needs to receive training on each piece of hardware and software the student uses.  This means that every new teacher, Educational Assistant, Volunteer as well as his regular support circle needs to receive training and that  as his hardware and software needs change they must each receive additional training in order to be kept up to date.  This is a huge commitment on the part of all members of the students support team.

As I viewed the videos I kept thinking about “Chris” (not his real name).  Chris has CP and has been living in our family run group home for 15 years.  Shawn is nearly 40 years old and lived the first part of his life in a nursing home.  He uses a wheelchair but has limited use of his arms so he cannot move under his own power.  When he first moved in with us his speech was very limited but over the years his vocabulary has grown to the point that he is able to engage in conversations as well as express his like, dislikes, wants and needs.  Though his spoken language is challenged he has shown that he has a good memory, a high level of comprehension, and can read and interpret peoples moods.  We don’t know his IQ or developmental age.  If I had to guess I would estimate he has the mental age of a 7-8 year old.   He has a good quality of life.  He participates in family activities, goes to a workshop everyday, goes to a summer camp for people with disabilities and takes part in numerous activities in the community.  Even with all that I can’t help but wonder what his life might have been like if he had access to assistive technology when he was younger.