The communication center is a new venture that will aid in the development effective verbal and non-verbal communication throughout the life of each child.
The center will serve toddler & preschoolers transitioning into kindergarten and increase communication in the home amongst other family members.
Every family will receive a PECS communication kit, after 3 months of enrollment and PECS training, to use as an aid to communicate to other household members.
In the center the touch screen computers will have augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) software to use during independent play and group based activities.
The Ipads will also use a variety of (AAC) software programs to aid during individual occupational and speech therapy sessions.
PECS one of the oldest and effective communication programs will be used manually and electronically for scheduling, meals, bathroom, feelings and more.
Electronic books and interactive tools, like sound puzzles, listening lotto for understanding sounds in the home, musical sounds, animals and numbers, alphabet electronic chalk boards will aid language and communication development across all domains.
$5,000 Tipping Point Goal
So Love Autistic Center will use the initial funds to acquire materials to service our initial enrollment goals.
(5) Ipads with 1 for every 3 children @$699.00. Plus the service fee of Augmentative and Alternative Communication software- ranging from $24.99-$99 per device
(3) Touch Screen Computers for group based activities
PECS Communication- a more traditional approach to provide another mode of sensory input through manipulation of the cards.
Communication Kit includes- small & large picture ready communication book, 150 individual communication cards, scheduling pictures and feelings pictures.
4 Kits needed initially @ $175 -$200 per kit
Funds raised beyond tipping point of $5000 will be used to acquire the other communication tools for the program.
To prioritize additional goals beyond our tipping point- we want to provide each family with a communication kit to use in the home; we anticipate serving 40 families within the first year. That would total @ $6,000
Next we would expand the acquisition of communication tools to accomodate the increase in enrollment. The tipping point materials is based on servicing 10 children.
