MEGAN BADGER / WIRE PHOTO
Karen Velocci, director of technology for the Autism Cares Foundation, uses an iPad and Apple TV at the new learning lab in Hatboro to demonstrate an advanced communication app called Proloquo2go.
By Megan Badger
Wire Managing Editor
For the Velocci family, technology is a way of life.
Karen and Peter have a son, Stefan, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Stefan, 16, has an expressive disorder, meaning that while he has ideas in his head, he is unable to communicate them verbally.
But, with the help of technology, Stefan has been given a voice.
Karen and Peter are the founders of the technology company SI Services. Several years ago, the pair teamed up with the nonprofit Autism Cares Foundation in Richboro and began an iPad enrichment program. The program teaches educators and parents of children with autism how to use special iPad apps to enhance communication and learning.
Until recently, Velocci held classes and workshops at Council Rock School District, where Stefan is a student. Now the program has a permanent home at its new Technology Learning Lab in Hatboro, which opened in early March.
“My husband and I have had a technology company for 25 years, so we’re technology people,” Velocci told the Midweek Wire. “Being technology people with a technology company, and now having a son with special needs, from very early on he was always drawn to our devices.
“With the iPod touch, I thought ‘How can I use this — if he’s interested and motivated, which is half the battle — to help teach him. I went to Apple and they looked at me like I had five heads. This was eight or nine years ago.”
Since then, technology has come a long way.
There now are a number of unique apps that empower those with communication issues. Stefan uses one of the most advanced programs, Proloquo2go, which Karen describes at the Mercedes-Benz of augmentative communication devices.
Karen has almost 800 apps among all her devices, and she knows every one thoroughly. Her goal is to find the program that works best for each person. Since autism is a spectrum, she works with people of all abilities. But many, she says, have communication disorders like Stefan.
Communication programs on the iPad range from simple, free programs that meet basic needs to advanced programs that literally give users a voice. Simpler programs allow the use to touch an icon, such as an image of a bathroom, and the iPad will read aloud, “I have to go to the bathroom.”
Proloquo2go, however, is much more advanced. Stefan can form complete sentences using customized words and photos. With this program, he can rely on his iPad or iPod Touch to communicate for him. Karen and Peter have worked hard to teach Stefan to use technology to communicate, which, Karen says, is his gateway to the world.
“What’s great is now that my son uses this instead of a bulky communication device, he feels cool, he fits in and he’s more socially accepted,” Velocci said. “That’s what it’s all about. Despite his challenges, our whole focus is to get them to be part of our world.”
At the new technology center, Velocci offers personalized, two-hour workshops for parents, educators and professionals, as well as family classes where children and parents attend together to learn how to use the apps together. Family classes are offered in a five-week course that meets twice a week. Velocci also observes children using the apps at the lab to see how they react.
While SI Services does not develop apps, they do partner with developers to beta test apps before they’re released on the Apple market. Because of her extensive experience with communication apps, developers reached out to Velocci to test Proloquo2go before it was available to the public.
“The perspective that we have, that I think is unique, is that of a parent,” she said. “You can hear communication specialists talk, or therapists, or a teacher who integrates technology, but I live it 24/7. I’m always looking at how I can help my child the best way possible.”
While working with people with autism is certainly the focus of the learning lab, Velocci said she also offers her expertise to people with other disabilities, or to anyone who needs to learn how to use the iPad.
“Basically my goal is to say ‘This is what’s out there,’ and it’s up to everybody to figure out what their particular needs are and what they think they would be able to fit into their child or student’s programming,” she explained. “Then I can help them implement that. Every single solitary person is different anyway, let alone these special people with all the challenges they have.”
For the Veloccis, iPad technology has given them a typical family lifestyle, and she wants to give every family that opportunity.
“It’s tough enough as it is, just generally, but when you have a special child, there’s a lot more that goes on with it. I think you just need to embrace and love who they are and help them in any way you can,” Velocci said. “It’s an exciting journey.”
And the journey will continue for Velocci, who said she hopes to expand the program with multiple branches throughout the Northeastern U.S. in the future.
The Technology Learning Lab will hold an open house on Monday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information about the Autism Cares Foundation and SI Services, visit www.autismcaresfoundation.org, www.si-services.com, or call 215–313–5989.
