Case 6 - Aisling

Background

Aisling is a bright eight year old girl. She was born with a heart defect and had to have several major heart operations. Then, after yet another operation when she was five, she had a brain hypoxia (lack of oxygen to her brain).

Everything in Aisling's life changed. No longer was she a normal five year old attending a mainstream school. The bleed on the brain following surgery meant that she spent the next nine months in hospital. The entire right side of her body is now permanently affected by a loss of strength and fine motor skills, meaning that Aisling can no longer draw or write.

It was two years before she could return to school. Her physical problems meant that she could no longer attend her school with her friends but had to start at a special school. Worse still, until Aidis became involved, her physical limitations have been affecting her academic achievements

Assessment

Present at Aisling's assessment were the Aidis technician, Aisling, Aisling's mother, her class teacher and her occupational therapist.

The assessment took place in Aisling's classroom and it was immediately obvious that Aisling's physical problems meant that she could not work the standard computer system there. The computer used Writing with Symbols. Aisling's letter recognition is very good and with the help of the enlarged keyboard she was able to produce accurate keystrokes. She could also type words with the help of word prediction software.

Julian, the Aidis technician, was very concerned that Aisling was using a symbol-based word processor even though her literacy is only slightly behind that of an average eight year old. It was agreed that this software was inappropriate for Aisling's capability.

Aisling's teacher told Julian that the school was about to purchase a computer system upgrade and that part of the package includes a progressive word processor that learns words as the user does and resembles Microsoft Word in complexity and appearance. This would help Aisling develop her key skills more appropriately. This software was recommended as was a specialised roller ball and large keyboard.

Result – A letter from Aisling

Dear Julian and Aidis,

This is the first letter I have ever wrote with my new computer and it is for you because you got me my computer. I can write proper words now like special and fantastic and it tells me if they are wrong. I can play games at home as well.

Thank you,

Aisling

Mrs. S, Aisling's mother wrote:

"…she is now eager to do her homework as it can be done on her computer, the problem is getting her off it! She's always looking at dinosaurs and other things she's interested in on the internet. It's really great. It has also shown me what she is capable of doing in the future. I can't do half the things she does on the computer! Without your help, this would not have been possible for Aisling. Aisling and I would like to say thank you."