I have an adult brother who is mute, and is fascinated by computers. He is retarded, and has cerebral palsy.?

Question

He has an assistive device that allows him to press certain buttons to have the device play recorded questions and comments.

He hates it, because it rarely allows him to communicate his thoughts and needs beyond, "I'm hungry," or other basic statements.

I have read the information on computers with touch screens, and some of the software, and found that helpful. We have access to teachers, and special education software for children to learn basic reading and math skills, but he has not shown any interest in those, because they do not allow him to communicate.

His present method of communication is self-learned. If he sees an ad on TV, he searches magazines for the same product ad, and presents the ad and his notebook and pen to someone who can write. Once the product is listed to his satisfaction, he waits until one of us can take him to purchase the item.

Still, this is not conversation, and we would like to know if anyone else has a solution.

Answer 1

try the PECs program which is a communication progam ( you can i am sure make it your self. it has pics the can turn into sentences example
cookies ( there is a pic for it )
later a pic of I ( him)
want would be next
i want a cookie
i am sure there is a search for it
good luck

Answer 2

I hear you! I am so glad that your brother wants to have a conversation with others------good for him---don't we all.

I work in the field yet not specifically with assistive tech. What we do in PA is get a special assistive technology evaluation.

Then specialists ----who are knowledgeable about a variety of technological products out there AND are able to evaluate the needs and skills of the client are seen. Often states provide loaner materials to assess if the systems work to meet the childs needs. If a good solution is designed then one can be purchased for the child.
States often have regional centers that are designated to support individual school districts special needs programs---- in pa we have a eastern pa support center ----a central and western pa support center also------
Check with your school districts special education department----here we call it the intermediate units-----and ask about a more specialized assistive technology assessment. There are many therapists and teachers out there and we can't know all things about all areas-----so sometimes it is helpful to see a technology specialist with background in special needs clients as well. If the school system does not have such an evaluative process-----I would look for this service at a local hospital----childrens hospital -----or even contact the united cerebral palsy association------UCP might be able to direct you to local providers -----

Many years ago , young adults I knew were using a program called Dragon dictate----but I am sure there are newer things out there-------

Answer 3

The first answer you received recommended the PEC system. I would also suggest a system of pictures.
There is a program you can purchase by Mayer-Johnson that is called Boardmaker. You can find it online or through their catalog.
This program contains hundreds of pictures. Using it, it would be very easy to make a communication book for your brother. Here's an example of how it works. You may decide to make up a page of "Places to Go" and put 20 pictures on this page.
At the top you put 3 picutres: 1) I want to walk to... 2) Please drive me to... 3) I want to take the bus to...
Next you put pictures of all the places he might want to go. The program has logos for most fast food restaurants, and other picutres for the mall, park, movie, bowling etc.
Your brother would probably have no trouble learning what the pictures mean.
When he wanted to go somewhere, he would turn to that page, and touch the pictures that communicated his desire. You could add photos of family and friends he likes to visit.
The program lets you decide how many pictures will go on each page, and what size they will be.
I think that a picture communication book with pages for all areas of your brother's life will greatly enrich his interaction and communication with others.
You can laminate the pages and put them in a small looseleaf binder.

Answer 4

There are much better communication devices out there that are much better suited for your brothers wants and needs. I work with disabled children and teens at an all disabled school in southern california and believe me...what your brother wants is available and then some! There are communicators out there that work almost just like a laptop, you can enter entire sentences, conversations, stories, music, the internet, etc.Some can even be used to talk on the phone! There is lots of funding for these too, and insurance should cover them. With a better communicator your brother could tell you exactly what he wants as soon as he sees an ad or commercial with something he likes by you or your parents helping him to program a new communicator with whole topics of different things...like for instance, my friend has cp as well. Her electronics section of her vocabulary includes things like this: "hey mom I really this mp3 player, can we go check it out?", "this is the device I was telling you about from the commercial", and for in the store: "Hello, I would like information on this mp3 player please", "no, this isn't the one I like", "yes, this is the mp3 player I would like to buy". and stuff like that. I can't put everything down in here, but believe me, her communication device is far more superior than what you are talking about your brother having. My friend can go online right on her device and save pics to use on her device. For instance last christmas she wanted an ipod. Without anyone's help she picked it out, had me record a conversation, went to the store with her mother and knew exactly which model she wanted, which color she wanted, and had a full conversation with the sells person at best buy about the features and questions she had about the ipod. So believe me, your brother's wishes are absolutely attainable! Good luck and please look into this! If your brother has a speech therapist have your parents talk to them, or a special education teacher, a dr., someone who can help him get a better device. I included some links of websites that have excellent communication devices. Please take a look! And remember that if insurance won't cover it, don't give up! There are always groups like the lions club, knights of columbus, make a wish (not just for terminal kids anymore, they now accept disabled people as well!), and other charity non-profit groups that help disabled people and will help you to pay for this item! Good luck and any questions please feel free to email me anytime!
Jennifer

P.S. in case your wondering...my friend has the communicator on www.gusinc.com and it is called the communicator 6000. I called and asked her and medicare will pay up to 80% of this communicator.