App Thursday: Therapists to Children: There's a New App For That (VIDEO)

(Kansas City, MO) There's an app for that.
Therapists have discovered a cutting edge tech therapy for children.  It’s a new kind of medicine that may help children find results faster.

Zach is one of those kids. He is unable to speak; still, he is able to communicate in a language that speaks more than words.

He looks lovingly at his mom, Amie.
She asks "Can I have a kiss?"
Zach reaches over and hugs his mom.
Amie Bybee beams, "Thank you! I love you!"
Zach's 3 years old right now and one day, Amie hopes to hear him talk.

Amie said an iPad App helped her realize her son really understands; he is just unable to express himself.
The App asked him "yes" and "no" questions.
Amie Bybee described it as a light bulb moment.
"He was accurate every time and it really showed us. He has it in here (pointing to her head) but we have to give him a way to express it since he's not able to talk yet. It was the first time we felt like he had a voice - where he could press a button and hear yes."






The Children's SPOT, a St. Luke’s group, is a speech, physical and occupational therapy center for kids. It introduced the iPad into therapy sessions just two months ago.
They said they have already seen big progress for a newly discovered reason.
"They are doing what their friends are doing. For some children who aren't able to talk this gives them the actual means to communicate,” said Jeanette Worthington, The Children's SPOT director.
Worthington said having an iPad is cool so children like Zach can use it among friends.

She said following a letter with a finger or watching a picture pop up with sounds is more engaging than using a pen and paper.

Most importantly, Amie said tech therapy helps make a child, who is used to being frustrated, smile.
"We're enjoying every day and enjoying his happiness," said Amie, sitting next to Zach at the therapy table.
When you are happy, no matter who you are, you grow.

Amie said it is a language that shows progress and promise for Zach's future.
The Children's SPOT has four iPads now and they use them to teach speech and emotional language therapy and fine motor skills.

(Source: kshb.com)