PLYMOUTH, PA — Speech pathologist Debbie Lord knew there was a more modern and relevant way to help the developmentally disabled adolescents and adults who come through KenCrest than asking them to refer to a story printed on a piece of paper in their moment of need.
So she created a cutting-edge solution that encourages them to plug into the world around them via a video app for their iPhones and iPads called Mi-Stories.
“We wanted a better way to deliver a social story that would also include strategies that we know are useful to people with autism...visual strategies with pictures,” explained Lord, who created the app, which was financed through grant money, in conjunction with Rowan University and software developer SemperCon. “But this is even better than a picture because it’s actually a movie. It provides a consistent model that can be viewed repeatedly and helps people face real or imagined fears in a safe way that they can practice without taking a chance of getting injured, like crossing the street.
“The video model has been proven effective when they might watch it on TV, but two weeks later they go to do whatever it is, will they remember that? This way they have it right with them because it’s portable.”
The innovative tool provides coping skills for individuals with autism and other challenges by helping them deal with their issues through short video clips about simple, real-life social situations — from sitting down at a restaurant to order a meal to grocery shopping — they might find challenging to navigate.
“It’s a step-by-step guide and gives some helpful tips and hints,” noted Lord, director of health clinical and program Supports. “It allows you to watch them repeatedly. You can watch them one at a time, 20 times or a hundred times. It helps you to feel more controlled and confident about facing a similar situation, and once you build that confidence, when you’re faced with that situation in real life you can handle it better.
“You’re better prepared and can respond appropriately. Those with autism and other disabilities can benefit because it helps in terms of social communication, being able to handle things that come up, or knowing what to expect in a new situation — something you’ve never experienced before.”
Based in Plymouth Meeting, KenCrest serves nearly 9,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as autism that impair their ability to socialize and communicate, as well as their families.
The app videos were produced by Dinkum Interactive on location at places such as Ray’s Diner in East Norriton.
“The first series cost $5,000 to make because we had to film at a couple different locations, but the second series, Transition to Work, was all done at one office, so that was only $2,000,” said Lord. “The cost depends on how many places we’re going to do the shoot.”
An app for Android operating systems may be down the road if additional grant money can be obtained, she noted.
Parents of kids with autism, as well as therapists and teachers, have been avidly providing suggestions for follow-up videos.
“Many of them want to see life skills and scenarios of recreational places,” Lord explained. “Parents are giving ideas where they may think their child need some more help. If they had difficulty on an airplane or on a train they may ask us to develop a transportation series. Sometimes people with autism have problems when they’re overstimulated, if there are a lot of people, noise or lights, like at an event or a concert ... they may want a story for that.”
A lot of people with autism are turning to app-intensive iPads and iPhones as their “saviors,” Lord allowed.
“There are so many different educational apps for autism and other disabilities now, and having a device to help you is not looked at as a social stigma because lots of people walk around with iPhones and iPads. It makes you cool.”
(Source: timesherald.com)
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