A Manatee County mom is breaking through autism's barriers.

Her son is using new technology to communicate basic needs.

Kelly Griffith asked her 7-year-old son Connor what he wanted for lunch.



Connor answered her by touching the buttons on an Ipod Touch that has the Proloquo2Goprogram installed. An automated voice said “ham sandwich.”



Connor needs the device to communicate because he is autistic and cannot speak verbally.



“He took to it instantly. We started on there with a couple of icons. I want juice, I want a snack, that kind of thing and now we have almost 100 (icons),” said Kelly Griffith.



How it works is there are icons that Connor can pick from and they are organized into categories like toys, food, and family.

It’s also portable and he wears it around his wrist, so he has his communication tool where ever he goes. Griffith said since Connor has used theProloquo2Go he has made more attempts at speaking.



“He hears it so if he hears bye, bye mommy he will repeat it bye, bye mommy,” said Griffith.

His little sister Erin said because Connor has a way to communicated with her, he has been playing more often.



“I like when Connor talks to me,” she said.

