We have recently awarded grants to Robyn (chromosome duplication and spina bifida), Ethan (autism and global developmental delay) and David (Angelman Syndrome).
Robyn is 18 years old. She has Mosaic duplication (chromosome duplication) and spina bifida. She is wheelchair bound and has no functional verbal communication. At school she was given the use of an iPad with the Prologuo2go communication application. This enabled her to do her school work and it also supported her social interaction. As she was about to leave school and transition into a day care facility, her mother and teachers were very concerned that, without the iPad, she will no longer be able to communicate effectively. This would impact her ability to become more independent. Robyn was awarded a grant of £600 to fund the iPad and the Prologuo2go app.
Ethan is 5 years old. He has global developmental delay and autistic spectrum disorder. He relies on an adult for all of his basic needs and, as he is still unable to express himself verbally, he communicates his needs by leading an adult by the hand. He is at a special severe learning difficulties school where they have been encouraging him to communicate using an iPad with the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). They feel it would help Ethan’s development enormously if he were to have an iPad with PECS at home as it would help him communicate and interact with his family. Ethan was awarded a grant of £420 to fund an iPad.
David is 8 years old. He has Angelman Syndrome, epilepsy, hyperactivity and sleep disorder. He is completely non-verbal and, because he cannot communicate his needs, he becomes frustrated which leads to him engaging in harmful activities such as hitting himself on his legs. His speech and language therapists have recommended the use of the Prologuo2go communication app to help David make himself understood and to give him a voice, both at home and in the community. David was awarded a grant of £200 to fund the Prologuo2go app.