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Join Our Conversation
 Thank you for joining me for our fourth email issue of "Thoughtful Conversations." Each issue brings new evidence that highlights gains people are making around the world. We focus on the use of technology, the implementation of curricular programs and the support professional development offers in the pursuit of achievement for people with severe to moderate disabilities.
This issue contains the case study of Judy King, Cert. HPC, MRCSLT, MASLTIP and Independent Speech and Language Therapist from the United Kingdom. Like other innovative educators and therapists, she utilizes her arsenal of skills to impact the lives of many people. In this case study, she shares her journey with Matthew and how the use of a variety of assistive technology tools and teaching methods improves his communication and learning.
As coordinator of the AbleNet Research Consortium, I invite you to send any questions or recommendations that will assist us in improving our research efforts. Just email me at cvolkman@ablenetinc.com.
Kindest regards,
Cheryl Volkman
 Case Study: Judy King, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
This article was contributed by Judy King, a therapist with 24 years experience in special education and community services. She shares her approach to teaching communication to students. Read about her approach as well as the specific program she used with Matthew.
“When I first met Matthew, he was 6 years of age. His parents were unaware of the possibilities of switch access and means of communication other than speech or vocalizations. They were on a steep learning curve and rose to the challenge amazingly!
Matthew is currently twelve years old and uses the FL4SH™ scanning communicator via two-switch scanning. His head switch advances the scanning light and auditory prompt, and his hand switch selects the message. Matthew requires auditory prompts to hear his choices and to make deliberate selections. He currently has several overlays with recordings of music (approximately 20 seconds recorded on each location), choices of activities, choices of outings, choices of rooms and choices of people.” To read Judy’s story click here.
 This story is part of a collection of case studies about how educators in our communities are creating amazing opportunities for students with disabilities to learn, grow and achieve extraordinary results. To view archived case studies click here.
Professional Article: Stages in Switch Development
Written by Judy King; Cert. HPC, MRCSLT, MASLTIP, Independent Speech and Language Therapist and Tony Jones; M. Ed. B. Ed. (Hons.), Cert. Ed. Res., Cert. Ed. Man., Cert. Ed.
*This article was written by these two therapists and authors and presented at the 2008 Communication Matters Conference at Leicester University in Leicester UK. It is a very comprehensive presentation on switch selection and usage. Read the article online.
The outline of the article is as follows:
1. Preparation: choosing a switch
2. Switch Awareness: best thing in the world
3. (Physical) Access
4. Cause and Effect
5. Timing Switch Access: scanning 1
6. Moving from One to Two (or more) Switches
7. Choices with Switches
8. Scanning 2
9. Switching For Staff: good practice in the classroom and beyond
*Disclaimer Statement: This article is written by authors from the United Kingdom so those from other countries may notice culture, language and jargon differences. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of AbleNet, Inc. AbleNet strives to tell the story as told by the people interviewed so it is truly their story. AbleNet adds value to the story in the form of research links and other resources to allow readers to pursue aligned data/information.
Call for Proposals: AbleNet Research Consortium
Will you be conducting research to help the world understand how students with severe to moderate disabilities learn with the aid of curriculum and assistive technology? You may be a university student, researcher or represent a school. Contact the AbleNet Research Consortium for potential support of product, stipend and resources. The next funding deadline is June 30, 2009. Click here for submission guidelines and process details. Contact cvolkman@ablenetinc.com with questions.
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