"Supporting children with varied abilities and their families in achieving full participation within their homes, schools, communities." Connie Beasley, Founder.

The Carolyn E. Wylie center for Children, Youth & Families improves the quality of life and enhances family relationships by providing programs for children and the community with compassion and commitment.

The Wylie Center has a state certified non-public school, licensed child care, a sensory motor clinic, mental health programs, physical, occupational and speech therapy, an early intervention home program, an outreach program, inclusion partners, parenting classes and autism spectrum intervention.

The Autism Program at the Wylie Center is committed to providing the highest quality individualized intervention services to make positive and pervasive differences in the lives of children, youth and families in areas relating to Autistic Disorders and to enhance overall quality of living.

We need your help though! We need 23 iPads to make the greatest impact at the program and The Wylie Center. Here's why 23 iPads will make such an impact for the students:

The iPads would be used with children ages 2 years to 12 years of age with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Our interventionists would assist children with using the iPads for communication and learning.

Within our population we currently have children who are non-verbal.

All of the children we work with have limited communication skills which are dependent on access to pictures of objects or words on cards that allow them to convey their wants, needs, and emotions.

Several applications written for the iPad target such communication styles.

The digital camera on the iPad2 give therapists, caretakers and the child the ability to take pictures in the moment and incorporate these pictures in the applications instantaneously allowing more communication within differing environments.

There is an endless amount of subject matter the iPads can access which when presented in such a visually stimulating way, opens the door to new interests that may never otherwise be discovered.

One 12 year old we know was able to use his iPad to communicate his favorite color, his love of classical music, that he is able to write his name, that he is an amazing speller, that he can read, and tell his family the places he likes to go - on the iPad, for the very first time.

This amazing little machine is a window to the world.

Behavior monitoring and tracking can also be accomplished on the iPad. When working with individuals with Autism, our goal is to make the skills we teach functional in the natural environment and as independent as possible. Visual schedules created in the calendar and reminder features on the iPad allow independence to grow with a socially acceptable use of technology without drawing unwanted attention, which allows a greater level of freedom while working on social skills needed to be a part of the community.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Lauren