I thought I would share another one of Brooklyn’s assignments with you. They are working on adjectives in class as well as beginning writing, starting paragraphs, main idea – that sort of thing. They were to pick something that is important to them. For Brooklyn, one of the most important things is her ability to communicate with her peers, her aide, her teacher, with everyone! So we decided on her Eye Gaze Board. The following statement is what we were given.
The important thing about my ________ is _______________.
It is true that _______________.
It is true that _______________.
It is true that _______________.
But, the important thing about my __________ is ____________.
This is a photo of our finished project that was turned in. Everyone’s paper will be collected and put into a book for Mrs. B to keep.
I wonder what some of the other pages of the book will look like, what is important to the other seven year old girls? Is it their favorite doll, is their pet, a favorite piece of jewelry or clothing? For Brooklyn, for me, it is this simple piece of plastic that has changed our world. It allows us to help Brooklyn choose what she wants to do for fun – like the television shows in the above picture. It helps her do her homework for school so that she can continue to be included with her typical peers. It gives us a tiny look into the mind of Brookie.
It has shown us how truly smart (and funny) she is. Don’t get me wrong – It is still limited – after all, she can only choose from what is on the board – so basically she is still limited to “say” what we give her the opportunity to say. But we are working on it – we hope to trial the MyTobii (AGAIN – since that fell through do to a paperwork disaster last time). There are so many great things on the horizon in the field of technology that might one day give my daughter her voice back. Until then…..I am so very thankful for her Eye Gaze Board.
