Information

The Autism Community Network is proud to be the recipient of a generous grant courtesy of the St George Foundation, the Lions Club of Lugarno and the Australian Lions Foundation which enables us to donate 40 iPads to families raising children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and severe communication difficulties.

Each iPad will be fitted with a sturdy cover and loaded with ProLoQuo2Go software which can assist non-verbal children to communicate. A 2 hour parent/ carer training program in Proloquo2Go will be provided and email and phone support will also be available.  

All families of non-verbal children (ie those with limited or echolalic speech) with an ASD diagnosis and living in the Sydney metropolitan area are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to current and new members of the ACN.

Applications closed 31 August 2013. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 September 2013.

Research project: 

The ACN (supported by ASPECT) invites all Autism Kids Communicate recipients to participate in a research project to assess: 
  1. The success of the training program provided 
  2. The impact of the iPad and Proloquo2Go on the motivation and communication of non-verbal children with autism. 

More information about the research project, together with a consent form, is provided at the end of this application. The research project is completely optional and a decision not to participate will not impact on the success of your application. 

Regards,



Warren Thompson
President
Autism Community Network
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20 iPads for non-verbal children aged <6years were generously provided by the Lugarno Lions and the Australian Lions Foundation
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20 iPads for non-verbal children >6years were generously provided by StGeorge Foundation
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At cost provision of 40 iPad's from JB Hi-Fi

    Autism Kids Communicate
    Please provide information below about your child's diagnosis i.e. ASD plus additional conditions including ADD; ADHD; Intellectual Disability; Cognitive Delays; Language Disorder; Dyspraxia; Gross/Fine Motor Impairments; Sensory Processing Disorder

    Receptive and Expressive Communication

    Current care/educational settings and therapy

    Current Communication Aides

    Research project

    The purpose of the Autism Kids Communicate project research project is to assess: 
    1. The success of the training program provided 
    2. The impact of the iPad and Proloquo2Go on the motivation and communication of non-verbal children with autism. 

     
    If you choose to participate in the Autism Kids Communicate research project, your child will receive their iPad and Proloquo2go software at a training session. Our volunteers will be available to help with accessing the software during this session. We will also ask you to complete a short training evaluation form (10 minutes).

    Prior to training, we will conduct an interview (15-20 minute), to gather information about your child’s communication. We can arrange a short video of your child’s communication at this time or you may choose to take the video yourself and send it to us.

    We will then arrange an interim interview in 8-10 weeks time and a final interview at the end of the 24 week program. These will take 20-30 minutes and will help us evaluate what you and your child have learned. They can include a video component if you choose as above.

    Each interview would be recorded, and responses used to assess the efficacy of teaching Proloquo2Go to non verbal children with ASD, the impacts on their motivation to use iPad technology and the development of communication skills.

    Participation is voluntary and you may, without any penalty, decline to take part or withdraw without giving a reason. You can also refuse to answer any question if you choose.

    Any data collected will be confidential and names will not be disclosed, and you and your child will remain anonymous. Project outcomes will be incorporated into a research report and into a presentation for the ACN Board and website. Final reports will be distributed to ASPECT, the St George Foundation and the Lugarno Lions Club, who have generously supported the program.  It may also be presented at conferences and written up for publication.

    Your privacy is of paramount importance. If video recording is used, it will be for data purposes only (presentation purposes optional). All information (electronic and hardcopy) will be stored securely on ACN premises until 2018, after which it will be destroyed.

    The project will be conducted by Jane Tzakos in her current role as Projects Officer for the ACN of which I am the President.  Training will be provided by Jan Wright with volunteer support to assist outside of formal sessions. Both Jane and Jan are parents of children with an ASD. The project is being overseen by the ASPECT Research Review Committee.

    Should you wish to discuss any aspects of this research project further, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Tzakos on 0431 724 229 or via email mail@autismcommunity.org.au

    Thank you for taking the time to complete this application.