Dynavox Eyemax Trial…
September 6, 2009 | Updates
(This post was written in June of 2009.)
I know you’ve all been breathlessly waiting for this post (at least that what I tell myself). So, here’s the skinny on Samuel’s trial with the eyegaze computer.
First, it took me an ENTIRE day to get it all set up the way I wanted it and mostly to figure out how in the world to download movie trailers from itunes and then convert them into the right file type to work with the Eyemax. I won’t bore you with the details. It just took a LONG time.
Then, we started trying to use the system. But the battery on it wouldn’t charge so we had to keep it plugged in all the time and I couldn’t get the mount to work so we had to prop it up with books, which was a pain. However, we used it anyway (until I got tired of it and asked them to send me a new one which worked out great because it extended our trial from 12 days to about 20).
And here’s our experience with it. To my chagrin, Samuel wasn’t too “into” it. That confused me for awhile, but now I think I get it. You see, everytime I would ask him a question he could answer with the eyegaze, he would look at me and answer the question with his eyes, facial expressions or voice. I don’t think I’d ever realized how much he really does communicate with us despite his inability to speak. And you and I would think that being given the chance to talk would be the most incredible thing if you couldn’t talk on your own. But I don’t think Samuel remembers ever being able to talk. So, not talking is all he knows. And talking with the eye gaze computer is much more work than just looking at me and smiling. Our communicative person with the school district put it well when she said that, “Nothing has ever been expected of him before and now it is.” That’s a big change for a kid and maybe one he doesn’t necessarily want.
So, in the end, we worked on it for 30-60 minutes per day. It would have been niced to work more often, but Samuel simply would not tolerate more. (I was pushing it to get the hour out of him.) And he was pretty clear that he didn’t like the computer and didn’t want to use it. But at the same time, he did learn how to navigate a good portion of it during the trial. By the end of the 20 days, I could tell what his favorite things on each page were and I could almost always predict what he would pick. That tells me that he “gets” that there are consequences to each choice and that he knows he can control those consequences. That’s a good thing.
So, I’ll leave you with this video of him using the eyemax on the last day we had it. I realize after watching it that it appears that it takes the computer a really long time to pick up his eyes and “click” on his choice. But it actually only appears that way because you can’t see Samuel’s face in much of the video. Most of the time when we are waiting, I am waiting for him to stop looking at me and look at the computer instead. Like I said, he’s not really “into” it. But when he does look and try to use it, it picks up his eyes pretty quickly and can figure out what he’s looking at within a second or so.
The movie is a bit long, so don’t think you have to watch it. But for those of you who are interested…voila! Password is dynavox.
Love,
Teresa
P.S. Just in case you were wondering…yes, there is a life jacket on the floor in our front room in this video. And, yes, it does reside there whenever it isn’t being used. And, yes, it does have a piece of fabric duct taped to the back of it. And, yes, the 3-year-old does think that this life jacket is a Bat Man costume (and a seriously good one, may I add).
His mother may have put it on him and showed him how tough it makes him and how invinsible to punches he is when he has it on in an effort to get him to want to wear it whenever he goes outside. It may have worked. And you may find him swinging in the front yard with his Bat Man jacket on at any given time during the summer. When you ask him what he’s doing, he’ll probably tell you he’s flying. This type of crazy costume making to get a 3-year-old to wear a life jacket in the front yard in the summer heat may or may not be good for his health. But it is definitely good for his mother’s worrying mind. Just saying…
RSS feed for comments on this post.
TrackBack URI
September 6th, 2009 at 9:14 pm, Natalie Says:
Teresa! That video is so great! I just can’ get over how great Samuel looks. He is getting so big! It seems like this tool could be a great thing. What have you decided now that the trial is over? It was so great to hear your voice too. It’s been too long since we’ve actually talked! You have such a patient, kind voice. Love it! And I love your life jacket ‘cape’ idea. If it gets him to wear it, it’s totally worth it! What a great mama you are. I miss ya!
September 7th, 2009 at 12:18 am, Liz and Ashleigh Says:
I love how intently he focuses on the video. Really interesting to see how it works
September 7th, 2009 at 7:57 pm, Gramma Jewkes Says:
Just think of the possiblities with this. WOW. What’s it going to take be able to continue using it?
September 10th, 2009 at 12:39 am, Suzi Searles Says:
Looks like Samuel was doing a great job on the computer. I can totally relate to what you said about Samuel talking to you with his eyes. Luke does that same thing.
I enjoyed seeing the pictures from your summer, it looks like you had a nice time. How is Samuel’s new class going this year? Are you liking the teacher? How are you doing?
Love in Christ,
Suzi
September 11th, 2009 at 7:54 pm, Joyce Weister Says:
HI,THANKS FOR SHARING. I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN THE VIDEO. THAT IS AMAZING. SAMUEL IS VERY SMART. GIVE HIM A BIG HUG AND KISS FOR ME. HE IS SO PRECIOUS TO ME. YOU ARE AMAZING THAT YOU TAKE SUCH GOOD CARE OF HIM WHEN YOU HAVE OTHER CHILDREN AND VERY BUSY WITH ALL YOUR FAMILY I AM SURE. THAT WAS CUTE ABOUT THE LIFE JACKET. NATHAN IS A CUTE “BATMAN”. TAKE CARE. LOVE AND HUGS, JOYCE WEISTER