Article 1

http://www.closingthegap.com/lib/pdf/2008/Dec-Jan/Spotlights/SocialSkill.pdf



I read the article A preschooler joins the world with a little help from his friends. I chose this article because the topic of early intervention is very interesting to me. I was also very interested in this particular article because the title really captured my attention with the words "joins the world." This article discusses how the use of a computer software program, Preschool Playtime, helped a preschool boy with a diagnosis of Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder (on the autism spectrum), develop appropriate social skills and increase appropriate communication. The Preschool Playtime software was successful for the little boy in the article. He was able to take the information learned from the software and generalize into real life situations. The world of autism is very interesting to me. There is SO much I don't know about it. I have one little boy in my class with a diagnosis of autism, and almost all of my ten students could use practice on social skills and appropriate communication. I have a book of social stories, but the concepts and connections in the stories are too advanced for my Kindergarten and 1st grade students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. Something similar (to the software program mentioned) may be appropriate with my students. They enjoy the computer, and it seems more appropriate for my level of learners versus social stories.
This article also briefly discussed the importance of early intervention the importance of parents understanding developmental milestones. I strongly support early intervention and therapies. Early intervention is critical in helping to close the gap between typically developing children and children with developmental delays.

Introduction

I will use this blog to post weekly reflections from Closing the Gap Solutions articles. I hope in response to my reflections I will be able to learn more about the many uses of assistive technology and how to incorporate more assistive technology in my classroom.