“My son was never
very aware of his surroundings before; he never reached for things or moved his
hands in a purposeful way,” said Cindy Murray, mother of a 20-year-old who lives
at the Massachusetts Pediatric Center
“Then I saw how he
reacted to it!” The iPad captivates him, Cindy said.
“I’m there every
day. I was in tears for the first few months. I could not believe it. When the teachers even mention the iPad, he
anticipates that it is coming and reaches for it.”
The association gave
16 iPad tablet computers to individuals and departments that work with
students, according to Linda White, school director. “All students have responded well to the
iPads and the gains they have made are big steps forward in their ability to
communicate and interact with others.”
Kim Nickerson,
instructor in the adult (over 22) services, said even individuals with highly
contracted hands can use the iPad because it can be programmed to adjust to the
owner’s touch. The possibilities seem so
limitless, the staff organized a weekly iPad group to share exciting ways to
use the tablet.
Unexpectedly, the
iPads also help families stay involved with their kids. Cindy Murray downloads music and stories to
share with her son; other parents use Facetime video calling to stay in touch.
Grace Lawson, who
headed up the parent association for 20 years, recommended the iPad purchase
after seeing a video on how it helped boy with autism.
For more information
about Plymouth RHCC or the Athena
Day School
