Re: Cognitive disabilities and compensatory technologies

[Mary Wheeler <mar451@banet.net>]

Jim Rebman wrote:

> I need some assistance in locating resources and/or people with expertise
> in dealing with developmental and cognitive disabilities.  Mostly I am
> speaking of Down's syndrome, autism, and TBI and not learning disabilities
> per se.  I am trying to find out what, if any kinds of compensatory
> strategies and technologies are being used to deal with these situations,
> or, as the case may be, why there aren't any such adaptations or they are
> limited in scope and number.  I do know that the range of issues is huge
> (and that may be part of why it is so difficult to deal with), but I really
> need to clarify and quantify this if possible.  I do remember Gregg
> Vanderheiden talking about this in a talk he gave at CSUN in 1998, but I
> can't remember exactly what he said (though I thought it was very clearly
> stated at the time).
>
> Also, since I have very little background in this, I would also like to
> find out where I can learn more about the specific cognitive issues related
> to autism (What exactly is autism and how does it manifest itself?) and
> Down's Syndrome (is this simply a case of below-average IQ, or is there
> more to it than that, or is this even the issue at all?)., and anything
> else that people with experience in these matters thinks is useful.
>
> I would appreciate any and all responses as this will not only be used for
> my own edification, but also for helping to guide some proposed research
> that my group at the university is looking into.  Please don't be afraid to
> say that this is something that may not be worth doing if that is what you
> truly believe -- honesty and experience are what counts here.  I should
> also clarify that this is all in the context of education and educational
> technologies and not independent living and other social issues.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can give,
>
> Jim Rebman
>
> ------------------------------
> James A. Rebman
>
> Technology - Enhanced Learning Laboratory
> University of Colorado, Boulder
> College of Engineering and Applied Science
>
> mailto:James.Rebman@Colorado.edu

           To  Jim,

                    I know Doug Fluttie has a web site  for autism because his
son has Autism, also look at LD.Online or search the areas that deal
with developmental disabilities, I do not know Doug Fluttie's web site
but use search or go under Autism.
                              Mary Wheeler