Laptops for Autism Special Ed Class
Donation protected
"For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things posible" - 1991 IBM Training Manual
By way of introduction, I am Dr. H. Hi!
I am a neuroscientist who teaches life skills in an elementary school. In my classroom, I work primarily with 3rd and 4th grade students on the autism spectrum, but I also serve students with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. My goal is to put one dedicated Chromebook into each student's hands. With your donation, you will be giving my elementary students the tools they need to be successful. Thank you in advance for contributing to their success.
This year, my classroom has had a particular focus on developing writing skills using daily journal prompts and a reading curriculum that focuses heavily on the written response. During the course of the year, what has become clear to me is that a significant number of my students have not yet developed the fine motor skills required for letter formation when writing with a pencil (This observation has actually been published ).
My students often dictate somewhat elegant prose and very creative stories, but as soon as they pick up a pencil: anxiety, anger, and avoidance. Students rush through their writing assignments with little to no creativity or passion to avoid having to physically write any more than absolutely necessary.
I am starting this fundraising campaign to help my elementary students in coming years overcome the challenge of penmanship interfering with their ability to write. I am asking for donations to acquire a set of 10 classroom Chromebooks that my students can use to access their full academic potential. In my opinion, having consistent access to laptop computers in the classroom will allow my students to let their creativity out-to-air so they can freely and openly engage with the written word. Having technology to complete writing assignments will also reduce my students' daily writing stress. This stress reduction will give me the opportunity to specifically help my students develop fine motor skills required for penmanship, art, and other tasks requiring manual dexterity.
In summary, the students in my class are bright and creative, but are continually frustrated by their challenges with fine motor skills, a common feature in autism. Giving my students access to technology will greatly alleviate these frustrations. and allow them to achieve their potential.
Thank you again in advance for your help.
This difficulty has previously been published
By way of introduction, I am Dr. H. Hi!
I am a neuroscientist who teaches life skills in an elementary school. In my classroom, I work primarily with 3rd and 4th grade students on the autism spectrum, but I also serve students with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and ADHD. My goal is to put one dedicated Chromebook into each student's hands. With your donation, you will be giving my elementary students the tools they need to be successful. Thank you in advance for contributing to their success.
This year, my classroom has had a particular focus on developing writing skills using daily journal prompts and a reading curriculum that focuses heavily on the written response. During the course of the year, what has become clear to me is that a significant number of my students have not yet developed the fine motor skills required for letter formation when writing with a pencil (This observation has actually been published ).
My students often dictate somewhat elegant prose and very creative stories, but as soon as they pick up a pencil: anxiety, anger, and avoidance. Students rush through their writing assignments with little to no creativity or passion to avoid having to physically write any more than absolutely necessary.
I am starting this fundraising campaign to help my elementary students in coming years overcome the challenge of penmanship interfering with their ability to write. I am asking for donations to acquire a set of 10 classroom Chromebooks that my students can use to access their full academic potential. In my opinion, having consistent access to laptop computers in the classroom will allow my students to let their creativity out-to-air so they can freely and openly engage with the written word. Having technology to complete writing assignments will also reduce my students' daily writing stress. This stress reduction will give me the opportunity to specifically help my students develop fine motor skills required for penmanship, art, and other tasks requiring manual dexterity.
In summary, the students in my class are bright and creative, but are continually frustrated by their challenges with fine motor skills, a common feature in autism. Giving my students access to technology will greatly alleviate these frustrations. and allow them to achieve their potential.
Thank you again in advance for your help.
This difficulty has previously been published
Organizer
Michael Ryan Hunsaker
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT