Computer donation helps autistic boy communicate

When James Pollard was diagnosed with autism, his speech was limited. By using an iPad – with all its applications – given to him, he can communicate better than before.

Children with autism have communication delays and may not be able to verbally express to others when they’re hurt, if something is bothering them or if they’re frustrated.

Shannon Pollard, James’ mother, contacted Gary James through Twitter, asking him how someone could go about getting an iPad for a child with special needs. After she filled out a form, her son, rather quickly, was next in line to receive an iPad.

Pollard said Gary James, who started the company A4CWSN, has children with autism and knows quite a bit about it.

Pollard said A4CWSN, which stands for “apps for children with special needs,” has been a life-saver in aspects of her son’s communication skills. The A4CWSN website gives a video overview of the things it does.

Gary James said A4CWSN, located in Connecticut, is committed to helping the families of children with special needs and the wider community of educators and therapists who support them by producing videos that demonstrate how products designed to educate children and build their life skills work from a user’s perspective.

“I thought James wanted an iPod, but he is in love with his speech therapist’s iPad,” Pollard said. “She brings it to work with James. He asks me every day if Allison’s (the therapist) coming.”

Pollard said her son receives speech therapy on Mondays. He benefits from the use of the iPad and all the applications it has for speech, she said.

Gary James was going to personally deliver the iPad to Pollard’s son, but he was unable to do so because the cost of the trip from Connecticut to Washington would’ve been the same amount he could use to buy another child an iPad.

“He really wanted to see James’ reaction when he got the iPad,” Pollard said.

She said her son talks, having limited verbal skills, but the iPad has an application that he can use to help him communicate better.

“I think the iPad is the next big thing right now in the treatment of autism,” she said. “They have so many programs in it and so many apps. I’m really excited for it. It’s been one of the nicest things that’s happened to James.”

Pollard was impressed and touched that Gary James responded quickly when she contacted him.

“James loves computers anyway,” she said with a laugh. “And he can do so much on them that we can’t do. He really loves computers. He plays games on my cell phone that I didn’t even know I had on there. So this iPad is going to be a highlight for him, I can promise you that.”

Pollard believes similar iPads and applications are going to do so much for children and adults with autism.

Gary James said, “Our aim is that these videos on our website, along with relevant information and advice from an independent source you can trust, provides valuable insight into whether a product is suitable for its intended purpose or not, enabling sensible buying decisions to be made.”

He hopes his website and its content provides valuable resources to those who need it to serve children with special needs.