Tag Archives: Tobii

A different kind of learning

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Lily continues to impress both her home-based and school-based teachers and therapists (all 15 of them). This kid is super smart and silly, and most days she’s doing amazing things with communicating on the Tobii. Just the other day she had a conversation with her home teacher Denise to tell her that she was ‘angry’ and ‘greedy’ at school because she couldn’t play with the computer when she wanted to. And Denise explained that Lily can’t always get what she wants when she wants.

Oh, the perils of being an only child, raised in a single-parent home and having special needs on top of it. Creating boundaries and holding to them, reminding her that yelling is not nice, that sharing is important; I’m doing the best I can. But sometimes I’m not sure it’s enough.

She continues to be (mostly) sweet and loving and loud. I’m pretty sure that most parents of 5 year olds question their parenting skills and are driven mad by the noise and the insubordination. This brings me a strange sort of comfort. Makes me feel almost ‘normal’.

But I digress. Learning. It’s different for girls with Rett Syndrome. Some days this kid is on fire – engaged, communicative and creative. But there are those other days, the days when she didn’t get enough sleep or something else Rett related is going on, that she really struggles. I’m grateful that she, and I, have such a great support system who understands her ups and downs and are so creative in their approach.

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Admiring her artwork – and her favorite ‘literary’ characters

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Snapshot of her play/therapy room (PS someone got her first big-girl tooth!)

The Beauty of Technology

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A friend posted the below link on his Facebook page yesterday.  I began to open the link knowing that I was opening myself up to an avalanche of self-pity and ‘what-if’s’. So I closed it down.  But the title of the article, well, it stayed with me.  I woke up this morning and had to add my take to his somewhat smug post (which, by the way, I totally get and likely would have posted similarly had I not found myself in my unique parenting situation).

Here is the link: ‘Stunning photo series shows what it’s like to grow up without technology’.  

Here’s my comment:

Just reading the title of this article fills me with a level of jealousy I never knew existed. I have two iPhones, two IPads, a tablet and a $20,000 eye gaze device that I rely on to not only speak to, but also educate and comfort my child with Rett Syndrome. And because of this technology, my 5 year old nonverbal child told me (through technology) last night that she wanted a jacket because she was cold. I don’t think anyone could truly understand how amazing that moment was – to hear her express her basic needs – unless they have to live through it. Not all technology is bad and not everyone can follow the ‘ideal life’.

I dream of the day when Rett Syndrome will no longer be our reality.

 

Participating

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Lily has had a fantastic few weeks at school.  She’s been independently using the Tobii at circle time to interact with the teachers and students.  She’s been identifying letters and numbers (through the Tobii).  She’s also been speaking independently… saying things like ‘hurry up!’ and ‘hi!’ and ‘Woo back!’.  The last phrase is a horseback-riding term her hippotherapists try to get her to say when she is asked to stop the horse.  Oh, and Lily has been doing great with using a utencil too to self-feed.  Woot-woot!

Keep it up kid!

Using the Tobii to participate during circle time!

Using the Tobii to participate during circle time!

 

A good week indeed

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Lily came home from school today in such a great mood!  Likely because today was the first day that she had a Tobii at school (which took a year of advocating). Using the Tobii, she told her teacher today that she loves her cousin and grandma and that she wants to go home and play with the nanny.

A good week indeed!!!!  My kid has a voice at school.  Finally!!!!!!!