Dominic studies Media, Performance and Art and uses an iPad to support his communication. When he first started college, he used the “Seen and Heard“ app, but this did not fully meet his needs and at the time, he wasn’t an independent Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) user.
Dominic is now trialling an AAC iPad with the “Grid for iPad” communication app. Through communication group sessions and time in the Maples interactive learning environment, he is developing confidence in navigating the system and beginning to enjoy using AAC. At present, the device is mainly used in structured sessions to support his understanding of how Grid can be used for communication.
Dominic particularly enjoys using the iPad to control his environment, such as choosing music and adjusting lights, which is helping him develop independence. As he continues using Grid in practical situations, such as ordering in the college coffee shop, he is beginning to understand the purpose of a communication device. The long-term goal is for AAC to become a meaningful way for Dominic to communicate.