Choosing your iPad can be a difficult and overwhelming task. There are so many options to choose from, including generations, size, data or Wi-Fi connection. What you may not realize is that deciding on a case to protect your iPad is an equally important decision. In today’s blog, I thought it would be worthwhile to […]
Category: Technology as Therapy
Nicole’s Nook: More Apps for Heading Back to School
As we approach the beginning of another school year for our children, I thought that I would highlight a few apps to optimize their school performance. Below are five especially useful apps for your consideration. JotNot Scanner Pro, $1.99 This universal app takes a picture of a worksheet. You can then crop it and turn […]
Back to School: Communicating with Your School
The 2014 – 2015 school year is upon us! NF1 is the most common disorder you’ve probably never heard of–that is what we tell people the first time they learn about NF1. Because NF1 is not a commonly known disorder, it is likely that the teachers and school administrators at your school also have not […]
Nicole’s Nook: Back to School Apps
As summer is winding down and school is right around the corner, some great educational (and fun) apps include those that target fine motor, visual motor and visual perceptual skills. The apps included below target development of skills which play a significant role in academics, so here’s your chance to get a head start for school! Fine Motor Skills […]
Nicole’s Nook: To Write or Not to Write?
Technology is everywhere these days. We are constantly syncing, posting, downloading, messaging, emailing and typing. As such, the term cut and paste no longer refers to the scissors and glue of yesteryear. Beyond their use for keeping in touch, technology can be used to assist children with special needs. In this month’s blog, I thought […]
Washington University NF Center Summer 2014 Newsletter
Check out our Summer 2014 newsletter! Inside this issue: Governor Nixon and Mayor Slay Proclaim May 2014 NF Awareness Month New Study Uses the Fruit Fly to Understand NF2 Gene Function Courtney’s Corner And More! Check out our previous newsletters as well!
Nicole’s Nook: Enabling Restrictions on Your iPad
The iPad is known for providing both entertainment and productivity to adults and children alike. We encourage children with NF1 to use the iPad in academic environments to increase productivity; however, children may have difficulty using the iPad responsibly when entertainment is such an easy temptation. Luckily, there are many built-in features on the iPad […]
Nicole’s Nook: Finding the Best Apps for Your Child
Finding the right app can be like finding that needle in the haystack. To date, there are thousands upon thousands out there, and the list continues to grow. A few things to keep in mind while searching for apps include: While many free apps are worthy, don’t limit your search to free apps only. Some […]
Symposium Sneak Peek: Dr. Courtney Dunn and Nicole Weckherlin Discuss Optimizing Outcomes for Children with NF1
Courtney Dunn, PT, DPT, is a Physical Therapist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and became the lead physical therapist for the NF Clinical Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2010. Dr. Dunn applies her expertise to identify developmental delays in young children with NF1 and was instrumental in the establishment of Club NF, a […]
Nicole’s Nook: Limiting Your Child’s iPad Time
The iPad can be useful, educational and, of course, entertaining. Sometimes it is so entertaining that some children have a hard time quitting an app or moving onto something else. Obviously, this can be a detriment to productivity, but luckily the iPad comes equipped with some practical functions to help address this common problem. Before […]
iPad App Therapy Clinic Launched!
Some children with NF1 experience developmental delays that can make some aspects of school and everyday life difficult. One way to address these issues is to use technology, such as the iPad, to enable access to alternative opportunities for education and personal growth. But how can you learn about everything the iPad can afford your […]
Nicole’s Nook: Apps to Take Away the Winter Blues
With the cold temperatures and abundant snow days this year, there is a great demand for inside activities that are educational but entertaining. Here are some recommendations to apps that can take away those winter blues. Language Arts App Title Description Target Age Interactive Alphabet Learn the alphabet at your own pace 1 to 5 […]
Nicole’s Nook: Apps that are More than Recreation
The iPad often gets a bad rap. It’s too trendy, it’s too techy, it’s too mainstream, and it’s too gamey. I’m not sure if all of those are legitimate words, but you get the point. It looks like play, end of story. And to give something so recreational to kids in an educational setting can […]
Recent Study Sheds Light on Learning Problems in Preschool Age Children with NF1
In addition to café-au-lait macules, difficulties with learning are seen in as many as 80% of school-aged children with NF1. Affected children may have problems with attention, visual perception, executive function, language, reading, spelling and mathematics. Each of these issues can make success in school extremely difficult without proper support and therapy. A recent study […]