. About the Program

Personal technology has become fundamental to our society and provides broad support for our daily activities. Letterboard users rarely have direct access to the necessary personal technology. In the 3rd decade of the 21st C, letterboard users should and can have access to the technology that supports peoples’ lives. That is where we come in. Our program highly customizes computer technology so that letterboard users with neuromotor issues can have access to the kind of software that most people use, and through that gain increased access into community participation (work opportunities, leisure, social activities, etc.). We begin by moving the experienced typer from a letterboard to a tablet computer.

Why we do what we do

• Information and computer technology can enhance the autistic non-speaker’s ability to participate in activities that are important to them, increasing independence and reducing caregiver support.

• Most, if not all, letterboard users can substantially benefit from personal technology

• Typers using computer technology are likely to substantially benefit from our program because of our ability to make conventional software that relies on gross motor skills accessible to people with neuromotor issues.

• Because you can make unique contributions to the design of your personal technology, increasing your personal performance, from the beginning, the typer/speller becomes a member of the software design team.

• Neuroscience contributes to our understanding of autism issues, especially neuromotor issues.

What we do

• We prepare to move the experienced typer or speller from the conventional letterboard to a tablet computer, which becomes your keyboard that can be held by a CP or CRP.

• We focus on each client’s strengths and priorities, highly customizing personal technology that increases the individual’s independence and reduces some of the support they currently need.

• Keyboard design uses our interactive, highly customizable computer software design tools. From your experience with letterboards, you tell us how you want your keyboard, and we build it interactively. Trying it out interactively, you will want to make changes, which typically can be done in seconds to minutes.

• Customizing is interactive and uses your current strengths which often you know best, and harnesses those strengths in building the keyboard.

• You will be able to begin using your new keyboard in 2 or 3 days. You will continue to want to make changes to your keyboard, as you get more experience using it.

• We deliver our services to our clients in their natural environments, beginning with the home. Our services are delivered over our Advanced Telehealth Platform, which provides support that helps the typer/speller to progress.

What you will likely experience?

• You will continue to type letter by letter, but it won’t be necessary for your CP/CRP to speak the letter or speak the word or the sentence.

• Although some users may be more comfortable at first having their CP hold the device, this device can be used alone without hands-on CP assistance. Consequently, the CP/CRP’s tasks will change.

• You will be able to communicate directly with people near you, as you did with the letterboard.

• The tablet keyboard has text-to-speech capabilities. With a keystroke, you can have the tablet speak what you have written. Most often, the person you are communicating with will understand what you intend to say, and if not, you are there and can correct it.

• Everyone who types makes misspellings and typos. It’s not necessary to interrupt your typing flow in order to fix typos and misspellings.

• You can print what you have typed. You can save what you type, but initially you will have to work with your CP to retrieve what you’ve written. More about that later.

What would come next?

• A table or desk can become a work area for you, with room for your CPs and aides

• After you have a minimum amount of comfort using the keyboard, new features can be added as you like, but in “hybrid mode”, with some assistance from CPs and/or aides.

• Type or respond to emails

• Type and print notes

• Begin to write longer documents which can be saved and edited

• Other things that you have been doing on a letterboard can be moved to the tablet

• To communicate, it will no longer be necessary for the CP to hold your tablet. It can be placed on the table/desk securely enough for you to be able to type. It will also be portable, so you can converse with people outside the home. Ideally you will be able to type when you want to even when a CP or aide isn’t available. This is a major step towards increased independence.

• You may use some of your reregulation aids placed on your tablet.

• Our staff will assist in every step of the way.

And what would come after that?

• The main rationale for all of this is to increase your independence and expand what you can do self-sufficiently, by yourself, or with reduced involvement of caregivers.

• This involves using adaptive methods of working with apps designed for users with expecting motor skills. We have methods of making you independent.