Research Student would appricate ongoing input from you all.

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Hello everyone, I am a student (and more importantly a devoted individual) that has been provided with an opportunity to research within my chosen field for publication in a scientific journal. The scholarship program I am in guides the participants in developing our work as we go on to work towards our Master's and eventually/hopefully our Ph.D. -And I was looking to join a on-line community that could give insight to questions and give input on a level that textbooks and scientific journals may not give. In my research I would like to connect with individuals that do not mind aiding me as I work towards my goal.

I would like this to be an ongoing thread that I could come back to as I share my work and ask for advice to work towards my Research Topic.

My work will be in the study and development of using applications (apps) on hand-held multimedia devices such as the ipod, ipad, etc. in the ultimate goal of providing a free or inexpensive resource for parents of children with Asperger's Disorder and tools for children with AD. The work is not limited to Apps, but the devices themselves.

For my first post I would just like to get your input on if the iPad/iPod could be a tool in the educational system, or any thoughts on what I am presenting here in this forum. I am testing the water right now as I don't know how people will respond this post.


I will comment that I am 23 and have been given referrals to see about getting testing done for Asperger's by my psychiatrist.

Hope This section is the correct place to post as I am looking for input from parents.

-Dan.

Apps that do what? Why parents?

Firstly -to present information for parents with newly diagnosed children along with resources for individuals seeking more information on the disorder.
Secondly -the use of apps as tools in the form of educational exercises that do not come with the heavy price of the softwares out there.

My main goal is knowledge should be free and easily accessible. And that with advancing technologies we can provide tools for the educational systems that do not require heavy costs.

Why parents, - I feel that you all are the unvalued resources. I would like to work with parents as you know your children, what may help, what is needed, where there is a lack of focus in resources or studies. I would like to just absorb from and communicate with you all. I am following my gut in that I feel like this is how my research should be done. You all will be able to provide information that I may not have access to.

iPods and iPads with specific apps offer a tremendous opportunity to improve the lives of children on the spectrum in a variety of ways, not the least of which is helping them be successful in school.

If you really want to be helpful, I suggest you read everything you can about "autism spectrum disorders" and "executive function." This background research will give the language you need to communicate on this topic. This background research should also lead you to a whole slew of new ideas for iPod/iPad applications that could assist people who have executive function challenges. If, after you have done this background research, you have not thought of any new ideas, let me know here or via PM and I will happily outline them for you. Best of luck!

iPads - absolutely!

My AS daughter has all the common motor function challenges but also a learning disability in writing. We are just beginning to work with the school on developing a typing/computer solution for her writing assignments and testing. As always, the school is concerned with costs and functionality for as many different students as possible. Specialty equipment for a single or a few students with the same issues is a huge battle. An iPad touch with typing and testing specific apps would be a godsend for its portablity, ease of use as well as the familiarity I think most AS kids have with a game style interface while still providing the multi platform functionality that would make it a useful classroom tool overall. I think a focus on multi-functionality could be extremely beneficial to both our kids and the budget crunched school systems.

Looking forward to your updates!

draelynn, you summed up so much of what I hope to accomplish and you did it perfectly. From the game style interface to my two main concerns.

Thank you guys for the positive response. The next few weeks for me are purely research based. Nothing exciting, but I am slowly filling a notebook with what will be my bible for this work.

I will be searching the forums for valuable references and reads for the publication side of my work. If you stop by and have any must reads for me or ideas feel free to share, I will post updates on how it goes. I will probably have questions to ask along the way.


DenvrDave < Thank you, I have begun research and for every one portion of informationI get, I look for at least 3 other sources or views on the same topic. I have chosen to make this work very important to me.

Today starts spring break for me and with it free time to devote to this "journal/notebook" full of valued information. This weekend is Developmental Disorders>PDDs


I have gotten 3 abnormal psyc textbooks from university students for information this weekend, along with Helping a Child With Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger's Disorder: A Parent's Guide as a reader.

-Dan

I know you said that you only want input from parrents, but I think imput from ppl with ASD's would prove valueble to your research
One of the biggest problems I had in school is keeping up with school work
If you could make a program that would be able to do most of the homework on the Ipad, and then be emailed to the teachers, that would be really helpful. It would be much easier to keep up with and less expensive than a laptop.

Also a schedule program that is easy to follow and a program that can give dirrections from one class to another.
also a white noise app that can drown out the noise of trhe crouds as white noise can be soothing for some of us with sensory issues,

Oh yes please, I want all input, not just that from parents. I should have been more specific in my typing. Everyone is welcome to join in. I just thought this to be the most appropriate placing in the forums.