iPad protective case--with amplified speakers

We contemplated getting an iPad for our son, Matthew, who has agenesis of the corpus callosum.

I knew that if we got an iPad for him, we would also need to have a protective case--one that would meet his needs. So....I spent lots of time researching all kinds -- from simple to more elaborate cases for the iPad and I read lots of other parent's reviews (who have a child with special needs). I had a few choices in mind, for my son, that I liked.

In the meantime, we decided to borrow an iPad for our son BEFORE making the decision to buy.

When Matthew was in public school, I became aware that, in Oregon, we have access to a place called OTAP (Oregon Technology Access Program).

OTAP is located in Roseburg, Oregon and they have a Loan Library that offers a variety of technology equipment from speech-communication devices, to adaptive toys, to a variety of miscellaneous items.

Now here's the cool part. You can borrow equipment from OTAP for one month for free to try it in your home! Yes, it's true and it's fantastic!

I do want to add that some expensive items you borrow (for example: some communication devices) may require you to take out insurance when sending them back. So please be sure to ask before you borrow something on loan so you know, upfront ahead of time, about any costs you might incur due to insuring an item for it's return back to OTAP.

"OTAP services are available to anyone concerned with the needs of Oregon's children with disabilities from birth to age twenty-one."

OTAP has an iPad (Item #256) in their lending library so we eagerly filled out the form and were on our way to borrowing it for Matthew!

When the iPad arrived, we discovered that it came housed inside (one of the cases that I had been researching) the iAdapter case!

I was instantly sold!

It [the iAdapter 2 case] was exactly what we were looking for in a protective case for our son, to meet his needs.

Plus, the iPad that we borrowed from OTAP came fully loaded with many educational apps and speech-communication apps (like Proloquo2Go, and TouchChat and others) to try.

After our free one month trial of the iPad with our son, we made the decision to go ahead and purchase an iPad2 AND the iAdapter 2 case.

iPad + iAdapter case = a perfect match

We purchased the iAdapter 2 case directly from AMDI (Advanced Multimedia Devices, Inc.). We paid $265.00. We love the iAdapter2 for the iPad2. They also make an iAdapter for the original iPad.

• AMDI - iAdapter Housings
• iAdapter 1 (for original iPad)
• iAdapter 2 (for iPad2)
• iAdapter 3 (for iPad3) *available June 15, 2012

What we especially love about the iAdapter is:

1. It has built-in speakers so it amplifies the sound/volume of the iPad2, making it easier to hear when you are out in public, in a noisy restaurant or other loud environment, (or for a child in a school classroom or lunchroom, etc.)

2. It has a slide switch that covers up the 'home' button on the iPad blocking the child/user from continually pushing it and leaving the program they are working on.
 
3. It has a great carry handle (easy to pick up and carry around)

Did I mention that we ♥ it? ;)

For more information and a visual view of the iAdapter, watch the video below:

*Note: please be advised the video is from a different company in the United Kingdom (and is not AMDI)

Matthew's new case manager through Brokerage (a service that supports adults with developmental disabilties) was at our home last week for a home meeting with us and when she saw Matthew using his iPad, she eagerly explored the iAdapter case and said she really liked it. I told her that I would send her more information about it through e-mail, which I did. She informed me that she has several people who could use the iAdapter case for the iPad.

I thought that because we love the iAdapter for Matthew's iPad2, and it instantly caught the eye of his case manager who really likes it, I would share it here with anyone who might want to explore it more.

And, if you know about (or have borrowed from) a lending library in your state, please consider sharing that information here by leaving a comment (or send me an e-mail) because it could help someone else become aware of a very valuable resource. Thank you very much.

*Note: After we purchased the iPad2 for our son, I found AVPlayerHD, a great app that allows me to easily upload and convert videotapes of his music therapy sessions  (from my camera)  to his iPad2!

What protective case do you use for your child's iPad?

iPhone/iPod Touch Augmentative Communication

Proloquo2Go:



What's Proloquo2Go?

That's what I thought when I started hearing about
a new application for augmentative communication
available through an 'itunes App' that works with the
iPod Touch and iPhone.



What sparked my interest in Proloquo2Go is the fact
that the communication application downloads to a
device (iPhone or iPod Touch) that is so portable
and can easily go with you anywhere.

Hence, my child, Matthew, who has Agenesis of the
Corpus Callosum, and who is non-verbal can now take
his very cool iPod Touch with him anywhere he
goes and use it to 'talk'.

We explored whether or not to buy the iPod Touch
or the iPhone but in the end it came down to I
don't need another cell phone and Matthew doesn't
use cell phones. For Matthew, we chose the
iPod Touch 3rd generation 32 GB. This way we don't
end up having a monthly cell phone bill and he won't
mess with dialing phone numbers to who knows
where.

Oh, we still have our large communication device
that Matthew uses at home that cost nearly $8,000
and we love it.

But, now we have solved the disappointment that
I had with the large communication device not
being functional for carrying around with him or
taking easily outside of our home.

After all, when someone is non-verbal and they
use an augmentative communication device to help
express themselves...that device should go easily
and effortlessly with them anywhere just like
anyone else who does have a 'voice', I think.

As for the cost of Proloquo2Go...it's a fabulous
$189.99! This is an affordable way to give our
child, Matthew, a voice and allow him to have his
voice with him anywhere he goes.

When you use the iPod Touch and Proloquo2Go
you will want to buy an external speaker for it.
Even though our iPod Touch has a built-in speaker
it is too quiet to hear it well, even at the maximum
volume level. If you were out in public or in a busy
restaurant you would not be able to hear the device.

We chose to buy the iMainGo2 external speakers
for Matthew because it comes with a zippered
case that protects the iPod Touch. The front of the
iPod Touch is seen but covered with clear plastic to
protect the screen.

Front view of iMainGo2 speaker system and case:


Back view of iMainGo2 speaker system and case:

CNET review for iMainGo2 speaker system and case


Want a better idea of what Proloquo2Go augmentative
communication has to offer?

Check out a few of their tutorial videos:








Proloquo2Go, we think you're pretty terrific!!

Thank you Proloquo2Go for making it possible for
my child who has Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
and who is non-verbal to have a voice with him
everywhere he goes and for making it at a cost that
is affordable.

Have you been considering getting an augmentative
communication for your iPhone or iPod Touch?

I encourage you to explore Proloquo2Go and see
if it may be an option for your child who would
benefit from an easy and very portable augmentative
communication device that is ultra cool for a kid
to carry and use.

Below are some of the links that I used while
exploring to help you get started on your own
exploration of Proloquo2Go:

TUAW Proloquo2Go Review

About Proloquo2Go


Proloquo2Go Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Proloquo2Go Manual

Proloquo2Go on Facebook Questions and Answers

uquery.com Reviews

iPod Touch in the News-helps autistic kids learn to speak, communicate

Talk to your child's Speech and Language Pathologist
(SLP) to see if Proloquo2Go might be an option for your
child's particular needs and abilities. The SLP may
even have a copy of Proloquo2Go so that your child
would be able to try it out during a therapy session.

Please be aware that there are resource centers
available in some states that may be able to loan
Proloquo2Go for your child to test before you make
any purchase.

Proloquo2Go offers a link to Resource Centers in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe.
If your state doesn't list a resource center available
on the above links to borrow or try Proloquo2Go,
consider looking for other resource centers available
in your state.

For example, In Oregon where we live, we have OTAP which stands for Oregon Technology Assistance Program.
OTAP has a Loan Library with numerous augmentative communication devices to borrow on a trial basis.

A perk with having the iPod Touch for Matthew is that
I am able to download kids Apps from itunes to his iPod.

He has always loved "The Three Little Pigs" story.
It's his favorite. Well, last night I spent time exploring
and reading reviews on itunes and I found what I hoped
would be the perfect "Three Little Pigs" story for Matthew.



Happily, I can tell you that it was a huge hit. Matthew
sat in his room last night with his iPod Touch watching
the very adorable Three Little Pigs story written by
Kidztory.

He can touch the pigs and they make piggy snorts.
He thinks it's funny and frankly so do I. It's the
greatest feeling to see my child sitting on the floor
of his room actually using an iPod, learning how to
use it from what I am showing him, figuring out things
for himself...and having fun.

Matthew loves books but he doesn't point to pictures
in a regular book when I ask him to find the pig or
ball or apple or other familiar items even though he
knows what a ball, apple, pig and other pictures are.

He is very much a visual + auditory learner. Matthew
has always been motivated by cause and effect toys.
Matthew needs to see a picture, push a button and hear
the word or sound. He also needs this means for
expression of his knowledge.

Now, while using the iPod Touch, he instantly touches
the "pig" when I ask him "Where is the pig?" or
"Touch the pig".

With the iPod Touch, Matthew is not only able to use it
as a augmentative communication 'voice' through the use
of Proloquo2Go but he is also able to learn and express
his knowledge through the use of kids educational
applications or "apps" available for download through
itunes.

I am excited about this newfound path that will help
Matthew make progress in his educational learning
process. I can't wait to go explore more educational
apps in itunes to meet Matthew's educational needs.

Note: Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum is a congenital defect.
A child who has ACC (or a corpus callosum disorder) is born with it.
Agenesis = missing or absent. Therefore, a child who has ACC is
completely missing their corpus callosum. The corpus callosum is
the largest commissural pathway in the brain consisting of over
200 million nerve fibers and allows for communication between the
two hemispheres of the brain. Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum has
a very broad range of how it can affect a person.

I do not endorse or receive any monetary benefit from Proloquo2Go or other website companies mentioned. The Proloquo2Go and iPod Touch are based solely on my child's own specific needs and were purchased by us through our own out-of-pocket expense.