Supporting families/whānau use a Communication Device with their Autistic Children

My name is Siobhan and I’m a PhD student at Victoria University of Wellington. I currently work with autistic children and their families/whānau to help support communication. Some children with autism have communication differences, meaning they have to rely on alternative communication.

My research aims to better understand parents’/caregivers’ perceptions and experiences of communication as well as provide support for the family/whānau using a communication device. The research will provide families - who may not otherwise be able to access a communication service - a chance to participate in the training program.

However, I am desperately seeking help so that I can provide the families/whānau with these much-needed communication devices. It would be unethical to introduce a communication support as only a temporary means for the purpose of research and then to remove a potentially beneficial device and also a child’s main form of communication. Therefore, I am seeking donations of communication devices as each child would require their own to continue using and communicating following the conclusion of the study.

Specifically, I want to provide up to 5 families with iPads (which can run IOS 12.4). If you have an old device, or a broken/cracked screen that you are no longer using, please get in touch. If you are in a position to donate some money towards this cause it is deeply appreciated no matter how small.