Let’s Chat Autism is the official Blog of Danny’s Wish
Danny is a fun loving energetic 13-year-old boy, who likes to play basketball, enjoys watching hockey games, loves the movie Shrek, and will eat ketchup with just about anything! This little Boyscout also enjoys swimming, painting, going to concerts and will never pass up an opportunity to play catch with you.
Danny is also Autistic.
Like many other children, Danny struggles with Autism, a developmental disability that too often results in a lifetime of impaired thinking, feeling and social functioning. It typically affects a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships with others and respond appropriately to the external world. People with the condition often exhibit repetitive behavior or narrow, obsessive interests. Other characteristics of Autism include problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction. It is considered a spectrum disorder because the characteristics and symptoms of the disorder are so very unique to each case.
Danny has a very unique characteristic all his own, and that is his ability to light up a room with his amazing smile. Despite his disability, he is eager and excited to experience the world in its entirety.
If Danny could have one wish, his wish would be for other children and people affected by Autism to experience, enjoy and love life just as much as he does. That is why we’ve created Danny’s Wish, to help provide life enhancing resources and experiences for kids and families that deal with Autism and Autism related spectrum disorders.
Though dealing with Autism is a daily struggle that imposes many obstacles, it has never restricted Danny from trying to live life to his fullest. Danny shows us that we can look past the disability, and on to a bright future full of great opportunities and possibilities.
Help us make Danny’s Wish come true!
It’s all about giving.
I have a few questions-what can an ipad do for a non-verbal child? How much does one cost? We purchased a device called “ProxTalker” and it was great at first but over time the tiles used to “talk” have become worn and my son picked off the velcro on most of them, so the tiles are everywhere. I’m looking for something else to help us, we spent $2,400. on the ProxTalker, and would spend it again if it could help. I read your application and don’t have an iTunes account. Do you need one for an iPad to work and if so where do I start with the ipad or itunes?
I hope you can help me. I have a beautiful 6 1/2 year old daughter, Aly, who is non-verbal and has major meltdowns due to her lack of ability to communicate her wants and needs. I would truly love to be able to fill out a grant application for the iPad for her, but my computer won’t download it from your website. Is there any other way that I can receive a copy of the application so that I may fill it out for your review and consideration? I appreciate, in advance, your time and consideration. Anna Maria Angelosanto and Aly
Hello Anna. We are sorry that you are having trouble with the application. Please email me your information at Fmiller@irnpayment.com Looking forward to hearing from you and Aly soon!
I’m looking for a grant to pay for an iPad for my son Wyatt that’s 7 years old, non verbal,developmentally delayed,cerabal palsey,hydrocephalus etc due to prematuraty at birth! I think he coul bennifit from an iPad for his speech delays!! Help with frustration from not being able to communicate! He’s a sweet boy that’s stuck with no voice I think if we could help him he might speak more!! Thank you Paula and Wyatt tollison
Paula, download our application on this blog and fill it out for a chance at an iPad grant
I am helping someone fill out the iPads For Autism Application. She is in a blended family has a step father who has not adopted her, her birth father is not to be found. In the section regarding Father..do they put in her step father info? leave it blank? Thank you for your help.
I am an OT at a unique facility located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our facility, Center for Developmental Services, is a building that houses a collaborative effort between early intervention serivces, the local school district, developmental pediatrics, family connection resources, and two therapy organizations. My department is a branch of the Greenville Hospital System. We consist of 13 Occupational Therapists, 14 Speech Language Pathologists, and 6 Physical Therapists. We serve a diverse community of children ranging in age from premature babies to teenagers. Two of our therapists use their personal iPads to facilitate speech, handwriting, visual attention, and simple cause/effect interactions. We have witnessed the success of these interactions for a variety of patients from cerebral palsy to autism to down syndrome.
Would your organization be willing to participate in a unique grant donation of multiple iPads to one facility for use with multiple patients, as opposed to one patient?
I would love to discuss this possibility with your organization or obtain additional possible resources for this unique grant request.
Thank you for your time.
sincerely,
Heather G. Herdt, MSR, OTR/L
We are definitely interested. Contact our office and we can talk about the details (800)366-1388 OPT 7