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School and iPad

11 replies

MissKittyEliza · 15/11/2011 09:38

We have recently bought ds an iPad2. Actually, he bought it himself if you like, cause we used the DLA. Well, that's what it's for isn't it? Stuff to make HIS life better/easier.

He has ASD, OCD and with Tourettes style verbal tics (not swearing). He's almost 11.

His mainstream school have them, for (obviously) limited use. A couple of iPads in a school of 300+ pupils. My son's academic progress more or less stopped after his diagnosis of OCD, over a year ago. At the moment he's really I'll, self harming, taking Prozac (Sad) cannot access any kind of social/outside of school activity. His world, in short, has shrunk and is a very sad little place. He has counselling, CBT and a psychiatrist. He's covered in bite marks, pinch marks and bruises, all self inflicted. I'm at my wit's end.

I asked school if we insured the iPad for school use, could they incorporate it into his school day somehow. Maybe a way of focussing him, with educational apps (we have a few he's taken to). They said no. Not possible. It's a good school. My son is bright but as I've said, he hasn't progressed in school because he's been so ill.

What can I do? Anyone else had this? There's so much he can't do at school and he engages well with the iPad 2 educational apps...... I think they're being short sighted on this. Ds has a Statement and 24 hrs one to one.

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MissKittyEliza · 15/11/2011 09:39

Should say, it's entirely HIS iPad. We have a home use one for family use.

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MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 15/11/2011 10:01

Did they give a reason for saying No?

ihatecbeebies · 15/11/2011 10:05

I can't offer any advice sorry but I know what you mean by engaging with the ipad, my 4 yr old son has AS and has such a short attention span that getting him to do homework is a nightmare, but he will tune into his iphone (dp's old one that we took the sim card out of and gave him to use as an ipod touch) and if he had his own way he'd play it for hours on end. The apps have helped him learn so much and it is a great way to calm him down if we're out at the shops or other busy place. Could you maybe talk to the SENCO and explain the benefits it would bring to your DS in school?

I hope things get better for you all.

MissKittyEliza · 15/11/2011 10:38

They said it's to do with insurance. But, we've already insured it!

Thanks for the kind wishes Smile

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cansu · 15/11/2011 20:49

I actually think that the insurance excuse is crap. I am looking into this for dd2 aged 6 and school are very excited about her having it in school and are also interested in her having a keybgoard attachment so she can use it in school. Unfortunately it is their attitude that counts. maybe they are worried your ds will use it inappropriately in class? Surely they could agree just a short amount of time each day initially?? Could you ask them frankly what their main worries are about it and maybe agree to sign something saying that you will take responsibility for it in terms of insurance to take this particular worry away?

sphil · 15/11/2011 20:58

Ds2 uses his in his mainstream school. They just said that insurance was our responsibility. his 1:1 locks it in a cupboard when not using it.

MissKittyEliza · 16/11/2011 08:46

Quite....it shouldn't be a problem. It's a piece of equipment, like any other. If it gets lost/broken/damaged....that's what we've paid insurance for!

Ds wouldn't be able to abuse it's use. They'd be in charge of that.

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wraith · 17/11/2011 18:45

asd + tablet pc = win touch my viewpad and ill scream so useful they shouldnt be allowed to limit use of technolagy that would help him

MissKittyEliza · 17/11/2011 22:38

You see, a big problems for ds is sharp objects. He has (recently) taken to only eating food he can eat without cutlery so he doesn't need a knife and fork. And pens and pencils are a massive problem. He doesn't see a Bic he sees a potentially deadly weapon.

I just thought it might be useful to take some of the stress out of learning by removing the absolute necessity for using a pen. Now, I know that might seem ridiculous as we all need to use cutlery and a pen (!!) but his learning has ground to a half with the OCD.

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WilsonFrickett · 17/11/2011 23:13

Put request in writing, listing all the things you've said here. If they still say 'no' take it higher. It seems to me it's clearly a reasonable adjustment so quote DDA while you're at it.

Also just had a thought - is his current teacher a bit crap with technology? Coud be their fear of the equipment rather than anything else?

MissKittyEliza · 18/11/2011 08:16

Don't think it's a technological issue. They use school iPads in the class now, for occasional generalise.

I don't understand it......they're usually open to ideas and have been a massive support to me as well as ds.

Good idea to put it in writing.

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