Headphones Options for Special Needs

Many times our students can't tolerate headphones to listen to music, be it because of sensory reasons, positioning reasons or something else entirely classroom staff and families run out of options after trying the standard options of ear buds, headphones and behind-the-neck-headphones. After moving up the ladder to the expensive ultra padded options and having those fail as well sometimes you need to explore other choices:

Headbands

• Music Infused Headbands
• Vonio Bone Conduction Headband
• Sleep Phone Headband
• EarMuff Headphones
  

Hats

• Headphone Beanie Hat
• Nike Hatphone
  
• Do It Yourself Headphone Hat Instructions
  

Unique Earphones

• Custom Earmold Earphones
• Ear Canal Options
  
• Bone Conduction Headphones
• Water Proof Headphones
  

Pillow Speakers

• Memory Foam Pillow Speaker
• Organic Sherpa Pillow Speaker
• Fuzzy Pillow Speaker
• Neck Pillow Speaker
  

Other options include child size headphones (if sizing is an issue), speaker stuffed animals and speaker cases and bags.

Congratulations Colleen!

Colleen Kelley* was one of my first students at the agency I currently work at, and will be leaving in about a week. This past Friday Colleen graduated from Perkins School for the Blind. Her family and friends gathered yesterday to celebrate her success.

Colleen came to my class a 13 year old with a spirit that filled the room, but ready to meet some challenges facing her. She was not yet reading or writing, could count but not problem solve in math and had not yet learned many life skills. Luckily, Colleen is by far one of the hardest working students I have ever had and would succeed at these things and more.

Colleen spent grades 8-12 with me and by the time she moved on to Perkins was reading and writing on a late second grade level, could accomplish most basic math problems including time and money, could navigate her power chair independently in the community, had accomplished the most important of life skills and had the beginnings of accomplishing communication competency using her ChatPC.

At Perkins Colleen excelled at Horticulture and enjoyed OT. She was a cheerleader, loved music and dances and just hanging with her girlfriends in her cottage. She is hoping to keep working with plants and flowers in the future.

Colleen has been my teacher as much as I was hers. I feel blessed that Colleen has remained a part of my life after she moved on from my class. Colleen taught me so much, including:

• nothing is more important than positive expectations, especially when matched with a positive attitude - keep that bar raised high!
  
• a good laugh makes it easier to learn anything (especially if you are laughing at people or things falling over)
  
• slow and steady does, indeed, win the race
• it is never too late to learn new skills, even if everyone else says you can't
  
• unless you try, and try again, you never know what you can accomplish

Congratulations Colleen, and thank you!

*Colleen's name and photographs are used with both her permission and that of her guardian. The top photo is Colleen at age 21 at her graduation party, the bottom photo is Colleen at age 13 in her first year in my class.

Online Jukebox (scan songs with your switch)

Fred Flare, a favorite novelty shop, has an online Jukebox with age appropriate music for teens and young adults.

However, there is cursing in some songs, you need to pre-view before allowing students to use it.

The music changes every month and there are several play lists to choose from. Position your switch over the "next" button (green with yellow arrow) and your switch user can DJ the music!

Updates to Permanant Posts

The following permanent posts have been updated:

• AAC Devices - Dynamic Display
• Autism and Related Disabilities
  

What should I get for my new room?

I have a feeling I have answered this before, so fogive me, but I have been e-mailed a couple of times recently by new teachers or teachers changing to a new population asking what they should ask for as the building blocks of adapted devices/assistive technology for their new classroom of learners with severe or multiple disabilities.

Although the specifics will vary depending on the age group, the budget, the computers and other educational technology available in the room and other variables here are the items I would ask for:

• switches at the very least a Big Red and/or a Jelly Bean and possibly a wobble switch such as the Ultimate Switch or if you wish the Jelly Beamer Switch eliminates wires.
  
• switch mounts if your population with need them such as the Universal Mounting Arm
• Boardmaker Plus is the one piece of software that you MUST have in the intensive/severe special education classroom, it can be used for everything from printing out picture symbols and board, to creating interactive books and curriculum to sharing everything you can think of on Adapted Learning
• Classroom Suite is the next must have and with the exception of printing symbol/boards it does everything Boardmaker Plus does and then some
• Choose It Maker is another piece of software to consider
  
• a sequenced voice out put switch such as the Little Step-by-Step
• a two choice voice out put device such as the iTalk2
• a switch interface to attach a switch to the computer such as the Don Johnston Switch Interface Pro or the new Ablenet Hitch
• A Powerlink or similar device to allow students to use a switch to control small appliances like blenders and radios
  
• battery operated switch scissors make cutting possible for switch users
  
• a pouring cup on a flew mount can be used for everything from watering plants, to cooking, to pouring paint to mixing solutions in science and is a must have in most room and many teachers don't even know it
• battery adapters and a notching file to adapt any battery adapted item yourself
  

Note: try using the search feature to search this blog for ways to use any of these items.

Other fun things to consider:

• the Webber Functional Communication Game gets TONS of use in our classroom (I won it as a door prize at a conference a couple of years ago and it is one of my most prized possesions)
• All About Me, All About You and Yes or No also get lots of use (although I often re-word questions based on the student to allow them to be answered using a particular communication system)
  

Some friendly advice:
Make sure you know the warranty and repair policies of the companies you are ordering from as well as their reputation for making durable products:

• Ablenet Warrenty and Repair Info
• Enabling Devices Warrenty and Repair Info

Also keep in mind pretty much every AT company require a return authorization number for returns or repairs - so call first!

Sensory Friendly Films from AMC and the Autism Society of America

The AMC Movie Theatre chain and the Autism Society of America have come together to offer families affected by autism a chance to see a monthly new release movie in a setting which is safe and less overwhelming. The call it Sensory Friendly Films. The light in the theatre will remain turned up and the volume of the film will be lowered. Families are encouraged to bring in their own snacks and viewers are welcome to move around the theatre, sing, dance or speak if they wish.

Tickets are $4-6 and can be purchased by calling a local, participating theatre the day of the showing.

Visit the website for dates and times of shows as well as locations of theatres. (The next showing is of The UP Movie and is June 13 at 10 AM.)

If you enjoy the program, wish there was a theatre closer to you or want to comment on the program there is a link to do so on their website.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Rayann Brioche winner of the Stacey P. Ahern award for Disability Advocacy at Middlesex Community College through the TRIO Program.

We are inspired by you and wish you the best!