It's been nearly five years since BIA opened its innovative Village Preschool in Fresno, California. Since that time The Village has expanded to well beyond an inclusive preschool. The Village has grown to become an educational center providing a much needed clinic setting for children receiving BIA's 1:1 intervention. This space is invaluable for children to receive their intervention in a variety of settings and provides children the opportunity to generalize skills with varied materials and toys. Children also have the unique opportunity to socialize with other children at The Village in a supportive and facilitated setting. 

The Village is home to the social program, Crew. Each Wednesday evening kids ages 8-15 meet and develop friendships with one another. Additionally, Crew also occurs in Visalia on Tuesday evenings with kids ages 8-18 (in separate groups). 

New happenings at The Village include:

1. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our board members and employees, the addition of a motor room to The Village campus will occur in July. This will be invaluable during Fresno's infamous "bad air" days and less frequent rainy days so that all students may engage in gross motor development activities no matter the weather! 
2. The Village is currently working with the Fresno Accreditation Institute to achieve accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Village scored in the top two preschools in the first round of site evaluations and is excited about being one of only three other local preschools in the area who are NAEYC accredited.

JJ with his iPad

Many parents have already discovered that their children are easily engaged, if not mesmerized, by their iPhones. The internet is also buzzing with articles on iPhone and iPad applications that can be used to keep children diagnosed with ASD constructively engaged.

Times have certainly changed. Just a decade ago, any type of technology for people with Autism was clunky, expensive, not portable, and often required expert consultation in order to set up and use. Remember the touch screens attached to your home computer screen or the strip cards that had voice output when you ran them through a machine? When smartphones came into existence, a whole new world opened up for children with Autism with respect to technology.

The most wonderful thing is that the iPad/iPhone is very portable, user-friendly, and has a lot of application possibilities that range from advanced problem solving to simple cause-effect games. We have recently begun using iPads with several of our students with great success.

One of our students, "JJ", began successfully using an iPad, application (Proloquo2Go) before he received an AAC* device from his school district. The application displays clear picture symbols (similar to Mayer-Johnson icons) from which the student can initiate communication, such as requests. Once the student touches the desired symbol, the iPad will produce the voice output of the word.

Having JJ become proficient with the iPad application was extremely helpful because it showed the AAC assessment team that he was already using AAC technology effectively. It also served as a good tool for them during the assessment process because it showed how far along he was with his ability to use technology and helped them match him to his current (very advanced) device.

JJ's mother reflects, "It's hard to explain but the iPad opened a gateway to other forms of communication with JJ especially with loved ones who did not know sign language. When he learned to use the app Proloquo2Go, which didn't take long, his frustration level decreased because he found a way to communicate. Plus with the other fun and learning apps downloaded, it kept him busy while we had to do things like sit down and eat at a restaurant."

BIA's staff finds a variety of uses for the iPad; from using the app Duck Duck Moose to play a child's favorite song so that the child remains successfully engaged in circle time to videotaping social stories on the iPad then replaying them and discussing them with students; the possibilities seem endless. Have fun exploring!

• Jeremy Brown's App Recommendations for Students with Autism  
• Best iPad Apps for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome 

*AAC = Augmentative Alternative Communication  

Former BIA client, Robin took 2nd place at a recent Middle School Spelling Bee. Deanne Detmers had the opportunity to interview Robin recently about his experience.

Deanne: Tell me about the Spelling Bee you took part in?

Robin:  Drake came in first.

Deanne: How did it work?

Robin: Miss Lavis gave out the words. We were in Room 307. The hardest word was abominable.  I can spell it now but that was the word that I missed.

Deanne: How did you decide to compete in the Spelling Bee?

Robin: My friend Anthony told me to try it and that I should do it.

Deanne: What is your favorite school subject?

Robin: Math. I like doing percent, ratios, proportions with variables like 65% of 80 = X.

Deanne: Wow! That is impressive.  What could I do to improve my memory and spelling skills?

Robin: I don't know. Maybe take a spelling pill!

Deanne: (laughing)

Robin: Did I crack you up? I cracked you up!

Kid-Tastic: Eric!

Eric's future plans are to attend college in Gilroy, CA in order to pursue music studies.

BIA was fortunate to partner with California State University Fresno's  fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, for Fresno's first ever Autism walk. Many families and professionals gathered on the morning of Saturday, May 14th on CSU Fresno's campus to walk for Autism awareness.