Robo-swot! £3,000 virtual schoolboy is ill pupil’s high-tech stand-in

A BOY too ill to go to school still attends every class — by sending a ROBOT in his place.

Devon Carrow-Sperduti, seven, answers teachers’ questions and chats to classmates using a £3,000 interactive “Roboswot”. His face appears via webcam on the VGo robot, which is linked to his home computer.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4564777/Robo-swot.html

Mindful designs: practical tips for designing for cognitive & learning difficulties

Mindful designs: practical tips for designing for cognitive & learning difficulties

http://www.slideshare.net/stamfordinteractive/mindful-designs-practical-tips-for-designing-for-cognitive-learning-difficulties-v010

Autism Links

a positive one:

How Pokémon Was Born From Bug Collecting and Asperger’s Syndrome

As the creator of Nintendo's Pokémon series, Satoshi Tajiri is one of the most important (if not well-known) developers working in video games today. Like another Nintendo legend, Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Tajiri's most popular work has been directly inspired by his childhood experiences and hobbies. While Miyamoto's Zelda was the product of boyhood explorations, however, Tajiri's role-playing juggernaut is the product of, as you may expect, boyhood insect collections.

http://kotaku.com/5806664/how-pokemon-was-born-from-bug-collecting-and-aspergers-syndrome


and a negative one that may be upsetting:

Teens charged over 'torture' of autistic boy

Two teenage girls have been charged after allegedly torturing a 12-year-old autistic boy in Townsville. The boy was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and sexually assaulted last Sunday morning by the two girls, aged just 13 and 14, the Townsville Bulletin reports.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8502942/teens-charged-over-torture-of-autistic-boy

Presentation on apps and ipads

Thank you to all who attended and helped out at the AAACT member meeting on apps and iPads last night. I'm so happy with how successful the night was. :)

Here's a link to the dropbox I created for all the presentation notes and flyers. There are lots of other useful app documents in there too so take your time and have a look through. Please feel free to share the link around because the more people who are armed with the information, the better it will be for our kids. I hope you can find something in it that helps you. I'll be sending the link out in the AAACT mailout next week also.

  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ng2ffvohrc2vkzf/rRv2R6BZmQ

Autism Links

Leveraging the Power of Social Networking, Game Mechanics and Personalization for Autism Support
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-verstandig/medical-technology-autism_b_1631341.html

Small babies at higher risk of autism, not Asperger
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/29/us-babies-autism-idUSBRE85S1FS20120629


EEG brain trace can detect autism in kids
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-27/health/32440668_1_autism-asperger-eeg

Cybersecurity awareness session

How do you protect yourself online?

CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS WORKSHOP

Tuesday 29 May 10 am - 12 pm Belconnen Library Friday 1 June 10 am - 12
pm Kippax Library Tuesday 5 June 10 am - 12 pm Tuggeranong Library
Wednesday 20 June 10 am - 12 pm Gungahlin Library Wednesday 20 June 2 pm
- 4 pm Dickson Library Thursday 21 June 10 am - 12 pm Woden Library

The Australian Government is working towards helping Australians
understand that no matter where they are or what they are doing, they
need to protect themselves online - whether they are on their home
computer or laptop, iPad/tablet, smartphone, or even their gaming
console. They need to use safe and secure online practices.

This is a free interactive workshop on the simple steps Australians (and
older Australians) can take to protect themselves online, run by the
Australian Government in partnership with Libraries ACT.

Bookings are recommended

For more information contact:
Libraries ACT
www.library.act.gov.au
Phone 6205 9000

Free ipads for children with disabilities

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/varietyipads

iPads with specialised software applications are amazingly useful as communication tools for children with special needs. They are compact and "cool" multipurpose pieces of equipment, that are allowing these children to communicate, express themselves, aid learning and much more.
Variety – the Children’s Charity have been granting iPads with specialised software for the last two years, among other equipment we grant for children with special needs. The biggest increase in requests for assistance is coming from families reaching out for help for this equipment to assist with their child’s development.

Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2012

From Jannette:

I mentioned this conference at a support group today and was surprised so few people knew about Spectronics - especially those with a need for communication devices - so I though I'd share. I attended this conference in 2010, and was amazed at the technology available to help our kids, and different approaches to teaching that were being discussed. I highly recommend it to anyone who can manage to get there - even if it means applying for funding.

https://www.facebook.com/ILT2012.Conference

 The ILT2012 Conference focuses on inclusive learning technologies to support struggling students and those with disabilities – in the classroom and beyond!

Win an iPad3 for your child

http://a4cwsn.com/win-an-ipad3/

(yes i get more entries in the raffle by posting ;))

Amazing new device that may replace wheelchairs for some

http://www.wimp.com/newdevice/

Kids in Cyberspace workshop (Sydney)

This might be of interest for parents of kids with ASD / AS or other children who love their online games and social media! I wish I could get to it.

Kids in Cyberspace

SYDNEY • 8:30am-5:15pm • Friday 16th March 2012
NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre

The Authoritative Update on Cybersafety, Online Behaviour, Digital Culture and Cyber-wellness of Young People

Group Discounts Available: Click here to register multiple delegates or contact Gen Next on 1300 797 794 for details.

Leading Experts, Up to Date information, Practical Knowledge, Real World Strategies

http://www.generationnext.com.au/wp-content/themes/gennext/pdf/Cybersafety-Brochure.pdf

CALD Carers Basic Computer Course

CALD Carers Basic Computer Course
Commencing Wednesday 7 March 2012
9 sessions - Wednesdays and Fridays

This is a basic computer course for Carers from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background.
A great introduction to computers including sending and receiving email, saving and sharing digital photos and using the internet.

When: 9:30am-1:30pm
Where: Carers ACT, 2/80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt
FREE for family Carers from a CALD background

To register: Please call Eleanor on 6296 9908 or email rsvp@carersact.org.au by 29 February.

updates from the AAACT E-bulletin 22 February 2012

Please note I have edited the original email as many of the items in it are already here on the blog J

AAACT NEWS AND EVENTS - 22 February 2012

Members Monthly Meeting Wednesday 7th March at the Bendigo Room, Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub (Directions Link)
Topic:  I-pads and apps with an autism focus.   Gay von Ess will be contributingher thoughts and experience with these tools.  Please would members might bring a list of their favourite apps in order to share the information with others.   An ideal opprtunity to learn from each other!
Doors open from 7:30 pm  Everyone welcome, light refreshments available.  Gold Coin donation appreciated.  Link
 The ACT Autism/ASD Political Action Group (PAG) is meeting to discuss its agenda and plans for the coming year. There is a lot on so we need to be "strategic".          Issues to be addressed include:

• the ACT election coming later in the year
• the National Disability Insurance Scheme and what it means for people with ASD in the ACT
• fallout from the Gonski report on education for PwASD ... as well as NAPLAN
• the 2012-13 ACT Budget
• ... and much more.

If you have an opinion on these (or other) political matters please come along, or just let us know.

Event Date: Tuesday 06/03/2012      Time:  7:30pm - 9:30pm   Where: (Directions Link)         Contact: Bob Buckley email:   bob@buckley.id.au

Sibs Club 2012: A club specifically for siblings or family members (son, daughter, niece, nephew or grandchild) of those on the Autism Spectrum (Autism, Asperger's, PDD- NOS).  The Sibs Club is run by Autism Asperger ACT Inc, and families are required to be members of AAACT.
Contact: Vicky on 6176 0514 to book a place and process payment.
AAACT Support Groups
Jeanette Purkis Women's Group: Monday 5th March: 7:30 pm to 9 pm - Link
Asperger Specific Discussion Group: Thursday 8th March:  7:30 pm to 9 pm - Link
Fathers/Grandfathers of children with ASD Group - Monday 12th March: Fathers and Grandfathers of children with ASD Group 7:30 to 9 pm
Link to Register: Here
Games Sessions - Sunday 18th March: Noon to 1:30pm - family session 1:30 to 3pm  - Adult session  Link

FREE Assistive Technology Workshop - Hartley Lifecare

Hartley Lifecare is proud to launch the first of a series of workshops in
2012 on Assistive Technology. See attached flyer.
1st workshop topic: TALKING ABOUT TABLETS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
(iPad, Android and Windows tablets compared)
When: Wednesday March 7th, 2 - 4pm
Venue: NEW Hartley Lifecare Assistive Technology training facility (and
offices): 6 Hodgson Place, Pearce
Cost: Free
Who should attend?: People with disabilities, therapists, families, support
workers and anyone interested in the latest Assistive Technology for people
with disabilities.
RSVP: Essential - fill out attached form and fax to 6282-544 or email
HelenFalla@Hartley.org.au<mailto:HelenFalla@Hartley.org.au>
For more information: Contact Helen Falla or Eric Thauvette on 6282-4411

"Wish we could be at CSUN" commiseration event

CSUN - the 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference hosted by California State University, Northridge Center - is one of the world's largest accessibility conferences. The 2012 CSUN Conference will be held in San Diego, California between February 27- March 3, 2012 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel.
The CSUN conference is a multi track accessibility conference covering a range of accessibility topics such as web accessibility, Blind/Low Vision, Emerging Assistive Technologies, Employment and more.
Do you fall into the "Wish we could be at CSUN" category? Please join your fellow Canberra accessibility folks for an informal night of commiseration, discussion and a drink or two

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/event/808030842/efblike

iPads for Learning

iPads for Learning http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/

This website is for educators who want to learn about using iPads in education. Here you will find information about the Victorian school iPads for Learning trial including specially selected apps, classroom ideas and technical tips.

Cybersafety for children with "special needs"

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools/Teacher%20resources/Cybersmart%20Access.aspx

Tips on how to stop Technology killing family life

It's definitely a fine line between giving kids on the Austism spectrum the downtime on technology they need, and not letting it go overboard. This article might be of interest.

Click link below for full story.

A new term is being bandied around by the experts, technostress relates to the rise in home based technology and the fall in family interaction.

Every family seems to have an iphone, ipad, blackberry, computer, internet, laptop and video games, but the art of just spending quality family time hanging out together seems to be dying out.

Children as young as 18 months can access games on iphones. By 3 years old they are experts at operating DVD players and turning on the TV.

Dr Kidman, psychologist and author of Staying Sane in The Fast Lane, has warned that technology has a profound effect on family dynamics. Instead of bringing them together it actually drives them apart. Everyone can be in the same house or room but they are all in their own 'techno-cocoon' completely absorbed in the technology they are interacting with and totally oblivious of each other.

http://www.generationnext.com.au/blog/?p=2820

Mixed links

having trouble keeping up with all the great links my friends in the ACT are posting! so here's a post full of mixed links...


Laughing at stress - advice for parents feeling stressed http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/conference/documents/PatriciaShaynehandout.pdf

Alexander's Toybox : fun stuff for kids with disabilities http://www.alexanderstoybox.com.au/index.php

School A to Z : practical help for parents - a NSW department of education website http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/

Teachers with apps - information, reviews, pictures of apps suitable for children / education http://teacherswithapps.com/

iPad applications - list of recommended apps

from the AAACT newsletter today. the list focuses on autism but i'm sure many of them are suitable for many other people :)

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AjbIta8OTS0KdHRMVWx0Q3pvOWRXRXBfd01jc3lqakE&hl=en&single=true&gid=0&output=html