New See and Learn app: First Phrases 2

From Down Syndrome Education International:

Our new See and Learn First Phrases 2 app for iPads is now available from the Apple App Store. 

See and Learn First Phrases 2 teaches two-keyword phrases illustrated in themed books using early vocabulary that is taught in See and Learn First Vocabulary 1 and See and Learn First Vocabulary 2.  

Building on the sight words learned in See and Learn First Phrases 1, See and Learn First Phrases 2 also teaches sight word reading using simple matching, selecting and naming activities. 

See and Learn First Phrases 2 is part of See and Learn Language and Reading – a structured teaching programme designed to teach children with Down syndrome to talk and to read.

All the details of activities, content, features, advice on use, links to ordering and other See and Learn apps are on the See and Learn website, here.

MagPort: a magnetic tip charger cable for iOS and Android

Sam Paior, who owns The Growing Space Australia Facebook page and website recently drew readers' attention to a clever new mainstream device that could be very useful for people with Down syndrome, or anyone who would benefit from fine motor support to manage their phone charger - the MagPort USB phone charger cable. See Sam's Facebook post dated 2 March 2017:

Sometimes, I get really excited about little things that can make a big difference. This is one of those. 

Do you or someone you love have Cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal injury, MS, MD, or other difficulties with fine motor, limb difference etc, and connecting chargers to phones, iPads and other devices on their own is hard? Or do you have to buy new charging cables *all the time* because they get ripped out of devices and ruin? 

This cable has a tiny dongle thing that you plug into the charging socket on your phone or device, and then the cable just magnetically draws in and "clicks" into place - you can do it with one hand, and when you detach the cable, you won't ruin it if you're rough. The cable has a lifetime guarantee and works for charging and data, too. You don't see that often!  

It really is pretty awesome. It won't be right for everyone (the cable detaches relatively easily which is great for some, but may be a pain for others), but for many it will be brilliant.

Read the comments for Sam's recommendations on NDIS funding for such devices - she has checked it out.

The Growing Space is based in Adelaide, but Sam generously shares a great deal of information that is universally applicable, and she is very knowledgeable about the NDIS. Like the Facebook page and sign up for the free monthly newsletter while you are there.

Resources

Phone app connects people with disabilities to carers with shared interests

Jodie Noce, 7.30 (ABC TV), 29 August 2016
Every day, hundreds of thousands of Australians with disabilities have to welcome strangers into their homes to help them meet their everyday needs, sometimes even for really personal things like showering or getting dressed. 

Now a new app is hoping to make that not just a business exchange but instead, a meeting of kindred spirits. It's matching carers and clients based not only on needs but also on interests and passions ...

Supporting informed decision making: something every direct support professional should do!
Joseph M Macbeth, Carol Britton Laws and Perry Samowitz, Service, Support and Success, Vol 5, Issue 9, September 2016
Each day, direct support professionals support scores of thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose needs and desires are as multiple and varied as is their number. Central to this effort is a vast direct support workforce whose members have diverse ethnic, racial and educational backgrounds and whose different life experiences shape what they bring to the job. Our personal beliefs and values certainly guide each of us in our personal lives, but it gets really tricky once we enter our place of work because what we believe is “right or wrong” and what the person we support believes is “right or wrong” is often quite different ...

• Link to back issues of Service, Support and Success on the Vita Living Services website, here

'Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis' now released as a web app

An excellent resource, in a new, accessible format, from a highly credible source:

From Lettercase, publishers of good quality information for new and expectant parents:

Since 2008, Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis has been the most valuable resource for women receiving a prenatal diagnosis. Today we introduce this life-changing resource as a free web app, available at http://UnderstandingDownSyndrome.org.  

And continuing our goal to reach even further, to support even more parents, we have made the app available in eight languages: Chinese (Simplified), English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. 

Please join us in making sure all expectant parents get the resources and support they need. Feel free to share the link to these life-changing resources via social medial, email and organization websites. #sharelettercase

Please consider taking up the invitation to share widely - if you have a son or daughter with Down syndrome of any age, you will be asked to help others find information and resources from time to time. If you use Facebook, you can 'share' the Lettercase post from today (it will be dated 7 July 2016) to save it on your own timeline where you might find it more easily. A number of 'share' options are provided in the bottom right corner of the web page.

All options (print and online) are listed here.

Down Syndrome Australia: Easy Read version of website

Down Syndrome Australia has launched an Easy Read version of their website, alongside the regular version. You can access it directly from the main home page ...

Resources

From CHW School Link (supporting the mental health children and adolescents with an intellectual disability):

The Traffic Lights® App helps adults to identify, understand and respond to children’s sexual behaviour.
The App is based on the Traffic Lights® framework used by child protection authorities around the world. It supports the development of healthy sexuality and protects young people from harm and abuse.

Traffic Light colours are used to describe whether a specific behaviour is normal or not. It follows a logical structure:

- Enter the child’s age, sex and type of behaviour
- Identify whether the behaviour is green, orange or red by clicking the traffic light colours
- Swipe to see the possible reasons for this behaviour and how you might respond

Most sexual behaviours of children and young people are normal and healthy. However, please note that laws vary from place to place. While green light behaviours are normal and healthy, they may not be legal in every jurisdiction. 

The app is currently available for $2.49. It has been developed by Family Planning Queensland who have some other great disability specific teaching resources which you can access here.

Resources

'See and Learn: First Counting' iPad app now available
Down Syndrome Education International
The iPad app version of the first step in our new See and Learn Numbers programme is now available. See and Learn First Counting is designed to help parents and educators teach children the number words, numerals and counting from 1 to 10 ... click here for further information and link to download

Library Shelf: New Title

Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws
Australian Law Reform Commission, 2014
This Discussion Paper is the second consultation document in the ALRC's Inquiry into Commonwealth laws and legal frameworks that deny or diminish the equal recognition of people with disability before the law, and their ability to exercise legal capacity.

We now have the hardcopy version this publication for members to read. Contact Jo in the library via email library@dsansw.org.au

Online versions are available from the ALRC website, here.

Learn side by side
Open Future Learning, 2015
New modules in the online Open Future Learning platform for professional training of support workers promote learning by support worker and client at the same time, using the same resources.

Learning Potential 

An Australian Government campaign:

Helping parents to be more involved in their child's learning, from the highchair to high school. Learning Potential has lots of useful tips and ideas to help you make the most of those small opportunities in your busy day.

It isn;t designed specifically for parents of children with intellectual or other disabilities, but there are lots of tips for all families. Online content, and a free app.

Checking the facts ...

Many in the Down syndrome community, both families and professionals, are concerned that non-invasive prenatal screening tests will lead to even higher termination rates of babies with Down syndrome, without parents having access to the information they need to make the most informed decisions they can, in difficult circumstances.

But it will not help efforts to improve the provision of appropriate  and sensitive information, to have inaccurate statistics and claims made in mainstream media.

This week, a story in a UK newspaper has been 'trending' in social media, but the statistics quoted are disputed by Frank Buckley, CEO of Down Syndrome Education International, who has followed and commented on the emergence of non-invasive prenatal screening and its predicted impacts for some years. Frank is a renowned fact-checker:

Selective terminations of babies with Down syndrome have not risen by 35% in three years

Frank Buckley, Frank Talk (Down Syndrome Education International blog), 14th June 2015

A piece in the UK Mail on Sunday claims Department of Health statistics show “women choosing to abort babies with Down’s syndrome and other serious disabilities soars 34% in three years” and that “the biggest proportion was linked to Down’s syndrome, with 693 terminations last year compared with 512 in 2011″. Data collected by the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register (NDSCR) shows this is not the case ...

Why do counts of terminations of pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome in England and Wales differ?
Frank Buckley, Frank Talk (Down Syndrome Education International blog), 15th June 2015

Following yesterday’s Mail on Sunday article and my observation that the data quoted was wrong, many people have asked how the Department of Health abortion statistics can be so different from the terminations recorded by the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register ...

One day discount offer on Proloquo2Go

If you are considering purchasing the Proloquo2Go app, you might want to check out AssistiveWare's offer of a  50% discount on Autism Acceptance Day, 2nd April. 

Check with AssistiveWare about the best time to order taking international time zones into account.

Resources: a new book, and more on key word sign

Stand up for those with Down syndrome
Regina Brett, Cleveland.com, 22nd February 2014
Like any new dad, Rob Snow couldn't wait to show off his beautiful, new, baby boy. But when people realized Henry had Down syndrome, their faces fell and they said the words Rob would come to dread: "I'm so sorry."

The look of sadness and sympathy on their faces made him want to scream. Instead, he wrote a book called, What I Should Have Said ...

• Rob Snow's website, Stand Up for Downs
• Stand Up for Downs on Facebook

What does it matter what signs I use?

In her latest blog post in her series about apps for key word and Auslan signing, Aileen Ryan gives very useful background information on choosing a sign system that best suits your purpose. This post will lead into the next one, in which Aileen will review the app Baby Sign and Learn. Scroll back through recent posts for others in this series, beginning in January.

Keep the music playing ...

"They all love music!" ... a stereotype, a cliche, likely to set the teeth of many parents of children with Down syndrome on edge. It often comes across as a well meant platitude, ignoring that just about everyone, no matter how many chromosomes they have, or their age, enjoys music of some kind. Perhaps most people with Down syndrome are simply less inhibited than some of us about their enjoyment.

However, Music and Memory, brought to our attention by the good people at The Successful Ageing in Intellectual Disability Study (UNSW) via their Facebook page, might be of great interest to those caring for older people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. We know that Alzheimer's can occur earlier in people with Down syndrome than amongst the general population.  A key aspect of  the success of Music and Memory is that the music chosen for each person's iPod needs to be carefully selected to match the music they have responded to in their younger years. A good reason to take note, and keep a record.

Music and Memory is not specifically designed for, nor based upon the needs of people with Down syndrome, but those with Alzheimer's disease - sometimes at quite an advanced stage.

Do take the time to scroll down to the 'Alive Inside' 6 minute video excerpt, and watch all the way through, even if it is not a current problem for your loved one with Down syndrome - what you will see is remarkable.

• Alive Inside: The Remarkable Story of iPods and Alzheimer’s, Vonnie Kennedy, Senior Planet, 30th October 2013

Australian apps related to Auslan and Key Word sign

Image: Pixabay.com

Aileen Ryan is publishing a very useful series of blog posts at Key Word Signing and Proloquo2Go on sign language  (Auslan and Key Word Sign) Australian apps available on iTunes for iPod, iPad

and iPhone. The first in the series was posted on 27th January, the second on 31st January, with more to come.

AIleen's experience in using and teaching Key Word Sign with people with developmental disabilities and their families, and her interest in technology has led to her developing particular expertise that is invaluable to families.

Elsewhere on her blog, Aileen deals with matters related to how her daughter, Elysha (a young woman who has Down syndrome and hearing impairment) uses Proloquo2go, and Auslan to communicate.  Through her business, Hands Can Talk, Aileen teaches Key Word Sign and the use of Proloquo2Go.

• Hands Can Talk on Facebook

Library/ resources Thursday: 5th December 2013

• The third occasional issue of Starecase - a no holds barred magazine for people with disability and by people with disability - is available to download on the ISSU platform here, or as a .pdf here.

• The Down Syndrome Research Fundation, based in Vancouver has listed its most highly recommended apps for individuals with Down syndrome, in its DSRF store - proceeds from sales generated through these links will support DSRF

• US inclusion specialist Paula Kluth is currently offering '12 days of inclusion' - a tip a day for twelve days, on differentiating the curriculum. Something to file away for the new school year for those of us in Australia.

• The December 2013 issue of Service, Support and Services - the Direct Support Workers Newsletter is on the importance of listening in communication.

All issues of Service, Support and Success can be downloaded from the Vita Community Services website here, and/or you can take out a free subscription.

• The (Federal) Department of Human Services has produced a series of short videos on aspects of eligibility and the application process for the Disability Support Pension, available online.

iPad master class: February 2014 (Spectronics)

These events are three months away, but you might want to book, and/or alert you child's teachers/ your teaching colleagues to them now, before the long summer break - they are likely to book up quickly:

• Detailed flyer and registration links

This hands-on iPad MasterClass will provide an in-depth opportunity to explore, and create, individualised strategies and support tools proven to be effective in supporting students who are struggling with literacy in secondary school and in post-secondary settings. This is your chance to get down and play in the "iPad Sandpit", expertly guided by experienced presenters. It will be suitable for educators, therapists and parents supporting struggling students in the older age group.

2014 Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference

From Spectronics:

Join us at the ILT2014 Conference!

Spend just five minutes viewing our ILT2014 Conference video. Feel the buzz of this event. Held only once every two years! You'll understand then why you need to join us in May 2014 on the sunny Gold Coast of Queensland in Australia. See you there? Or watch out for online "virtual participant" registrations coming soon too.

• Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2014 website

iPads in education: Down Syndrome NSW workshop

• This is the second workshop to be presented by DSAQ staff in Parramatta on 16th September - the first is on the 'Reading Our Way' program - details here.
• A second workshop on the 'Reading Our Way' program will be presented in Newcastle, on 17th September - details here.

Monday 16 September 2013

7pm - 9pm

Parramatta Workers Club, 

163-165 George St, Parramatta

$55 members / $99 non-members

Bookings: DS NSW office, phone 9841 4444 or email: admin@dsansw.org.au

* 50 participants only *

This session has a focus on the practical ways in which an iPad can be used for educational benefit. A range of apps are discussed including apps for communication, fine motor development, behaviour, numeracy and literacy. Information is supported by a number of videos showing the iPad and apps being used by students with Down syndrome.

Presenters from Down Syndrome Association Queensland:

Rachel Carr (Information and Training Coordinator)Amanda Corby (Education Consultant)

• Reading Our Way website

Dapto family goes from isolation to connection

Lisa Wachsmuth, Illawarra Mercury, 24th July 2013

Dapto mother Lorraine Diaz is wary of her daughter Amy using unrestricted social media platforms, so she's delighted with a new online forum specifically for people with disabilities. 

Mrs Diaz is also enjoying using the online forum to share information with other parents, medical professionals and service providers.Amy, 23, was born with Down syndrome and can't wait to get connected to people with similar interests and experiences via My Voice My Choice.

... read on here for the full article in the Illawarra Mercury, and to see a close-up of Sylvia Liber's  fabulous photo of Amy and Lorraine that accompanies it. 

Special iApps releases Android version of popular Special Words app

Special iApps has today released a new version of Special Words – suitable for Android devices.

Special Words is also available for Apple iPad, iPod and iPhone devices.

The Special Words app is designed specifically for children with special needs, including children with Down syndrome. It offers various combinations of picture and word matching exercises to support the teaching of vocabulary and sight word reading (picture-picture, picture-word, word-word).

• See further information and links here, on the Down Syndrome Education International website.

Proloquo2Go workshops: Spectronics

Spectronics has signalled a new series of workshops around the new Version 3.0 of Proloquo2Go supporting use of iPads for communication:

Brisbane 12th June 

Sydney 24th July

Melbourne 31st July 

More dates and venues to follow

• Details and registration

Hands Can Talk: Proloquo2go workshops

Are you interested in attending a Proloquo2Go workshop? Hands Can Talk has some coming up and you must book in to attend. 

• see the new features, hear the new Australian children's voices, 
• see how Proloquo2Go works with Scan switch. 
• learn how to navigate your way through Proloquo2Go, 
• set up a user 

... and much much more.

MAY 15th 9.30am to 4pm 

Learning Links Mt Pritchard 

$50 each BYO lunch. 

Some places still available

MAY 25th 9.30am to 4pm  

North Rocks

$50 each BYO lunch.

2 vacancies only

MAY 28th 9.30am to 4pm 

Mayfield

$60 (lunch included).

Enquiries and booking: Aileen Ryan at Hands Can Talk, 02 9824 8332

• Hands Can Talk on Facebook