Would you want to hear Christmas Carols?

Hey Tek-Ninjas, a while back I posted a link to a mother's Facebook Fourth Annual Timpanogos hearing & Balance Christmas Hearing Give Away.

Julia is trying to win a hearing aid for her son Jordan. Tomorrow is the final day of the contest. I want to reach out to you and ask you, if you've not followed the link and "Liked" her entry, please do so today.

Let's help 13 year old Jordan hear Christmas Carols this holiday!

May your Holidays be blessed, whatever you celebrate!

Catch UP Parents!

 As a parent, do you know which kids your child goes to the mall with? If your child says "I'm going out driving around with my friends", do you say "okay"? Or do you ask "who, what, where, when, and maybe why"?

An engaged parent asks those questions. 

I remember when I was a teenager. There were a few phones in our house. One in the kitchen, and one in my parents room. My last few years at home, I got a phone in my bedroom, but it was the same telephone line, and I was not supposed to stay on the phone during the day, as my father worked from home. Having private, unsupervised phone calls was a challenge.

Many teens today live in two separate worlds, the physical world where we reign as parents, and another, the cyber world where we are often woefully absent. Today's youth have multiple social media venues they participate in.  Many of them have a smart phone and maybe a computer to use as they see fit. At it's best, the cyber world is a tremendous social tool which they navigate with remarkable skill and it enriches their lives. At it's worst, it becomes a Lord of the Flies situtation with cyber bullying, sexting, academic cheating, and super-gossiping.

Either way, this cyber world and it's social tools are here to stay. We can catch up, and be stewards of our children in this complex ever shifting environment, or be left far behind, asking our children to raise themselves to the best of their abilities.

I challenge all of us to ask who, what, where, when, and maybe why regarding our kids social media usage. Know which tools they use. Friend or follow them. Make it mandatory. You wouldn't let them go to the mall with a known drug seller, or a kid known for shop-lifting, right? Hold the same standard to their social media.  My kids have to share their passwords to all their media tools with my wife and I. I go on as them periodically. I don't post as them, and I make a point not to embarrass them, but you will see things as the "user" that you can't from the "following side".

Happy Parenting!

Hold the Date! 30th Annual NCACA Conference!

NCACA Conference

Alright North Carolinians! February 21-22 brings us the 30th Annual Augumentative Communication conference. And for those of us in the Piedmont, it's in Durham again!

Linda Burkart

The title for this year's conference is "We've Come A Long Way: 30 Years of AAC in NC".  And this year we have the pleasure of hearing Linda Burkhart  presenting on "Communication Strategies for Children Who Face Severe Physical and Miltiple Challenges".  Ms. Burkart is an internationally known pioneer of simplified technology for children with severe challenges.

This conference is designed for SLP's, OT's, PT's, Psychologists, Educators, Para-professionals, Families, and Consumers interested in increasing their knowledge of AAC and AT.

Every year I've attended this conference I have left with new knowledge, and fired up to try new tactics.  Don't miss it! You can find out more details here.

The GReAT Conference!

Are you going? 

Every year since I've been an Occupational Therapist I have looked forward to, and attended NCATP's Assistive Technology EXPO. Last year, they did not hold it. I never was able to find out why, but I imagine it came down to funding. This year, they are back on.

The EXPO is always a terrific place to see and hear about the latest in Assistive Technology.  One of the interesting factors about this conference is you see AT providers and AT users/family members in attendance.

The GReAT Conference

“Global Rehabilitation Enhanced with 

Assistive Technology”

WHEN: December 5^th – 7^th, 2012

WHERE: Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC

This year, attend two motivational and inspirational keynote addresses:

Tom Hartman: Artist living with MS using assistive technology to paint and work and,
Allison Massari: International motivational speaker, Artist, and TBI/Burn Injury Survivor.

Choose from over 30 sessions focusing on rehabilitation and assistive technology:
Tracks: Vision, Education, Employment, Exhibitor, Independent Living

•   Celebrate award winners for their work in rehabilitation and assistive technology. th
  
•   Visit the FREE-Open to the Public-Exhibit Hall on December 6 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with 50 plus vendors
  
•   Network with individuals, family members, educators, counselors, assistive technology professionals, engineers, vendors, and others
  Registration Includes:
   All sessions: opening, closing, breakout sessions.
   Awards ceremony on December 5th
   Evening networking event with Exhibitiors on December 5th  Continental breakfast on December 6th and 7th
   Box lunch on December 6th
   Exhibit hall (Thursday, December 6th ONLY)
  Hotel Options: Two options within walking distance:
  Sheraton Raleigh Hotel: 421 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601 919.834.9900
  Raleigh Marriott City Center: 500 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27601 919.833.1120
  Other options from the Visit Raleigh website http://goo.gl/E6Y6m Convention Center Parking: Decks I and E: (see map insert)

Hope to see you all there!

Keeping Tabs: Addendum

Hey folks, so I have had mixed responses to the prior posting about "respecting our children's privacy". I appreciate everyone's feedback, and realize that as parents we have to make difficult decisions about how we monitor our kids.  What works for one family may not work for another. All I can really say is good luck! Parenting can be challenging to say the least.

A parent emailed me and asked what to do if her child's phone number wasn't appearing in the list of options. Follow these steps to address this issue.

Remember from the prior post how to open your Settings, and go to Messages? Refer back to the prior blog if need be. You need to get to "Messages", than "Send & Receive", at the bottom in "Start New Conversation From" (circled in red), check the phone number.










Now on your computer, open up "Messages". 










Next, click on "Messages" in the top left menu, and click on "Preferences".  








When the "Preferences" window opens, click on "Accounts". On the right side of the window, click on "Add Email". Add your child's phone number is the following format: 999-999-9999.

You will then be prompted with a message about a verification email. This email will be sent to the phone 





Email with questions!  Happy Parenting!

      

Keeping Tabs on your iAdolescent

The first blog I wrote on TechNinja was about the importance of helping our teens be good cyber-citizens.  The amount of freedom kids can experience with technology can be scary.

Early on I provided my two boys (11 and 15) with access to technology, but with the caveat that I would be monitoring them closely. I have set up Find My iPhone on their phones. This allows me to find them quickly, and verify that they are where they say they will be. I have also synced their texting to my iMessage. This allows me to monitor their texts.

Really, I don't even check that regularly. But they know I have the ability to do so. Now, some of you may be thinking, "ewe, too invasive!", "what about their privacy?", or "how bad are your kids that you don't trust them?"... I understand those questions.  So let me say that both my boys are wonderful! They are turning into fine young men. I am immensely proud of the both of them.

I also know that adolescence is full of pitfalls! And, I do trust my boys. I trust them to behave like the teens they are. I trust them to struggle with some decisions when presented with some opportunities.  And there seem to be so many unfortunate opportunities.

Other parents have questioned me, "don't you think that they can just set up other email or text accounts?" Of course they might. But I feel that I'm setting up a standard of expectation, and backing it with action. I'm fairly confident that they've not set up alternative accounts. I generally don't comment or get involved in their text unless there is something really significant going on. I've only once had to talk with my oldest son about a text exchange. So, I try to give them some space. The oldest has even said that he doesn't mind my monitoring. I think it helps him feel safe with boundaries.

So. How set to this up?

You can set this up on any iDevice with OS6 (the latest update) or on your Mac computer if you have Mountain Lion.  Android users, sorry... I don't have any experience for you. Perhaps some one out there can send us a solution.

For an iDevice follow these steps:

First your child should 1. have the same iTunes account as you, and 2. have iMessage already set-up on his/her iDevice. Most likley they've done so, 'cause they seem to know intuitively how to do so!


Click on "Settings"












Click on "Messages"

Click on "Send & Receive"

You child's phone number should appear in your list. Click on their number, and a check mark will appear by it. 





Adding a number onto your Mac Computer is equally simple.

Again, your child should have iMessage already set-up on his/her iDevice. Open the program "Messages".

Click on "Messages" in the top left corner, and then click "Preferences".








Next, click the number that you wish to add. 







That should do it! Email me with questions or thoughts!

Happy Parenting!

Drop Box is da' Bomb!

Occupational Therapists! You're itinerant... you are at a school that is not your base school and you need that Eval form. Dang! You left it in your office.

Speech Therapists! You're itinerant... you are at a school that is not your base school and you need those picture cues you use for that artic' lesson you like (apologies SLP's if that's not quite what you do). Dang! You left them in your office.

Parents! You're definitely itinerant!  You are at work and your spouse needs that form you have with you... Dang!

Students! You're using your iTouch to take pictures of your home work. Your parents are soooo demanding, and they want to see it too. Dang!

Drop Box

No worries. OTs, SLPs, Parents, and Students... OT's you keep such necessary documents on your Drop Box account. SLP's you do the same with these commonly used treatment pics.  Parents, you can take a pic of the form with your phone, and push that form up to Drop Box. Students, take a photo from the whiteboard, and upload it to Drop Box. Now your parents can see it, and you can view it at home on the family computer.

Problems solved.

According to the developers; "Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. This means that any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, phones, [iPads, iTouches,] and even the Dropbox website", incase your not on one of your devices but still need to access something.

Dropbox delivers! Many of our staff and students across the school district are using it. Personally I have loaded it on my iPad, iPhone, Macbook, and home desktop, my wife's iPhone and laptop, and my two son's iPhones. Yes, we drank the "Apple Koolaide".  But at a moment's notice, I can share a Social Security card with any member of my family.  Or any other document.  Dropbox is password protected, and for 2 GB of space, it's free.

Home Page

So. How to get Dropbox. The easiest way is to use your laptop or desktop first. Go to Dropbox.com. The page on the right, is the page you will get, whether your on a PC, or a Mac.

There is an excellent video right on the first page that will tell all about Dropbox, and the ins and outs of using it. On this same page is the "Download Dropbox" button. It's big and blue. You can't miss it.

Directions

Download Dropbox, install it, and follow the directions.  The directions are so user friendly, I really can't improve on them!

When installing, you will be given three choices of storage. As I stated above, the 2 GB is free. That has been sufficient for my uses. Afterwards, load the software again on all your other computers, and then get the app for your iDevice or Droid phones.  The apps are free as well. You will log into those devices using your same username and password as you do with the laptop/desktop software. 

I'd love to hear how others are using Dropbox in teaching, therapy, or just life.

Happy therapy!

What's Your Homework?!?!

Homework

Many of our youngsters with learning disabilities struggle to get their homework for the day copied off the board. This is a regular sore point for parents! Kids come home and they either wrote nothing, copied incompletely, or what they did write is illegible.

One solution we've used when we've exhausted other modalities is to have the student take a snapshot with an iTouch.

I like to make a box for the teacher to write in, using electrical tape on their white-board. This serves two functions: 1. the teachers have an area dedicated for homework (this can help our scribing students as well), and 2. it serves as a visual cue for taking the photograph.

Once the picture is taken, the student can email it using the built-in software to do so. We ask the student to mail it to an email they share with a parent. The other option we've used on occasion is to load the picture up in Dropbox or iCloud. Using Dropbox or iCloud, we want to be certain the accounts are shared with the parents, and that they are emptying the photos at the end of each week.

Whether the student emails the photo or moves it to a "cloud" server, the picture will have a date and time associated with it automatically, which further helps reduce confusion.

I'd love to hear if you are using the iTouch camera in interesting ways.

Happy therapy!

The good, and the bad: technology

Parents, teachers, ministers, coaches, teens, and etc, etc... Read this New York Times article! In the past year I have seen 3 incidents similar to the one in the article, with "good kids" who simply made really poor choices.

Don't assume your good kid could't be involved.

Discuss with them the potential ramifications.

Technology, as you know has both  good, and bad aspects. And like most things, knowledge = power.

From the article: "Lacey students were convicted of dissemination of child pornography, they could be sentenced to up to 36 weeks in a juvenile detention center. They would be registered as sex offenders."

Click here:
A Girl’s Nude Photo, and Altered Lives

A version of this article appeared in print on March 27, 2011, on page A1 of the New York edition.

A Mission Trip: but who for?

Jack is far right

About six months ago my 15 year old son (Jack) came to me and said he'd like to attend a local Methodist Youth Group. He said a lot of his friends attended, and the Youth Minister was really cool. I am a Quaker. So is my wife. My kids have grown up in Quaker Meeting. However, I'm of the mind that if your teenager comes to you expressing interest in a religious youth group, you support them! You know, unless they are worshipping snakes or something. A few months later Jack mentioned that he wanted to go on a Mission Trip with the Youth Group to the Appalachian Service Project. My wife and I supported this idea 100%. I think teenagers greatly benefit from hard work, from service to others, Spiritual exploration, and traveling to see how other folks live.

Then, back in April, the 17th to be exact (and I know only because it was 3 days prior to my ACL surgery) my son's Youth Minister, Rush, contacted me and said, "so your son suggested that you would be a great addition to our leaders on our Mission Trip". Well, hmmm...Again, when your adolescent asks you to participate in something of this nature I think the only answer can ever be a resounding "YES"! I did however have some trepidation about hard labour just 8 weeks post surgery. Rush and I discussed my likely limitations, and he assured me that he'd make certain I was not on a physically intense project.

ASP Staff: Sam, Stephen, Margie, & Chick-Chick

The Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair in Central Appalachia. To learn more about the Washington County center, go to http://tinyurl.com/ASPWashington.

Or visit their Facebook page. 

Team Timberwolf:  Aaaawoooooo! 

Two Sundays ago, Jack and I met with roughly 40 high-schoolers and accompanying adults to load into 5 vans and head to Washington County, VA.  Three hours later we arrived at Rhea Elementary school where we would eat, sleep, organize for work days, and worship for the following week.  Each crew was divided and had five high-schoolers, and two adult staff.  Ours was named Timberwolf, and our projects were pre-selected by the ASP staff.

Tile Installation

Timberwolf, like the other teams had multiple assignments. Our assignments included removing a leaky sunlight in the top floor bedroom and installing a dormer window, installing a floating laminate floor into the living room, as well as adding a stone pad for the wood stove. In addition, we needed to install a tile floor to the bathroom, repair dangerous stairs at the front of the home, and dig a drainage ditch in the back-yard. Some of the tasks we were assigned had been started the prior week by another team, and some would be completed the week following ours.

The changes we were working on will certainly improve the home, and thereby the homeowners lives.  ASP seems to focus on improving Safety, Insulation, and Dryness, all of which are pretty crucial in a home!  ASP encourages the teams to build relationships with the families when possible, and to share lunch if the families are interested.

Sun roof leaks air and water...

With Service work like this there is powerful mojo going on both for the recipients and for the givers. Without a doubt, the work that happens on the homes is crucial. It is a gift to the homeowners, and there are countless anecdotes of emotional appreciation that are very touching.  Recipients are truly grateful. There is also the wonderful chance for our youth to experience giving Service. Sharing of their time, their skills, their humor, and their smiles. 

Hammering like Thor!

As stated above, the outward purpose of such a trip is to provide Service to the recipients. But there is far more going on under the surface. I have watched and participated in the growth of friendships among the youth and staff. I have also watched high school youth a bit anxious about using power tools become adept and gung-ho about the same tools. I have seen them use some of that math which they always said they'd never use! I witnessed teens exhausted and crabby dig deep to finish a project, and stay kind to one-another. Likely they all worked harder than their parents know they can (Jack included).

Building the Dormer

I had the pleasure of working with an incredibly skilled co-leader, Karen Beaton. She is a warm and friendly woman. She has a degree in Engineering, she home schools her three children, and she and her husband built the house they live in. Her knowledge of construction far exceeds mine, and she was a great role model for the young women on our team.

A typical day with ASP includes waking up at 7:00, and meeting for morning Devotionals, and announcements. This is followed by breakfast. Then the ASP staff (who were at Lowes or Berries hardware upon the doors opening) return with hardware and lumber for each group. Teams gather their gear and drive to their worksites.  Work goes on all day, with a lunch break and a  Devotional.  At the end of the work day, we head back to "home" and turn in a new "supplies list". Showers are available. We eat dinner at 6:00, and meet as a collective group at 7:30 for EG (Evening Group) Worship, singing, and any announcements. We were lucky, in that we were sharing the Elementary school, meals, and chores with two other churches, and a family of four who came on their own.  Big group = big fun!  After EG's, most folks made a beeline for ice-cream back in town. Then Quite time by 10:30, Lights-out at 11:00. I had my evening meditation until 11:30, then went to sleep and started it all over the next day.

Gravel up the hill, for the drainage ditch

At the end of the week, I left Washington County fairly exhausted, but very happy. My knee survived, a bit swollen and sore, but still intact.  I felt spiritually fed, and gratitude to have shared this adventure with my son Jack.  I'm pleased to have made so many new friends. In addition I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing what it might have been like to have had daughters, as I have two wonderful sons.  What a treat!

The purpose of this Mission trip is to "inspire hope and service through volunteer home repair", and yet despite the great works we did, I am confident that I got far more out of this trip than I gave, as did all of us.  Jack and I are still talking excitedly about next year, and my wife plans on joining us!

More tech-talk to come!

Remembering my Pepére

When I was a child, every Memorial Day, my mother would light a candle for her father, Marcel Duhamel. Marcel survived the Normandy Invasion. Quite a task for a young man from Manville, Rhode Island. The story I've heard is that a few days after the invasion Marcel was killed by sniper fire.

When my mom passed in 2006 I began lighting a candle in memory of my grandfather. Obviously, I never met the man, but he has had significant impact on my life. Like so many, he was a soldier who gave his life fighting for America. Memorial Day morning I will be lighting a candle first to honor his memory. I will share this story with my sons, as I do every year. I will be thinking of the men and women who have given their lives for our country. I will also be thinking of all the brave men and women who are serving in the forces both at home and afar.