Visual Reading Demo

PRIMARY USAGE: autism spectrum disorder, speech disorders, dysphasia, mental retardation.

It is also suitable for the healthy population, for the learning of a secondary language or for pre-school level reading development etc.

OTHER POSSIBLE USAGES: after a brain injury (i.e. after a cerebral stroke that has affected speech centers) etc.

This program is targeted at children and adults in order to start or further develop their reading and hearing abilities.

The Program has been developed and tested in cooperation with teachers from a kindergarten for ASD, special needs children, in Bratislava, Slovakia.

LEARNING LANGUAGES: UK English, Slovak, Hungarian, Czech

USER INTERFACE LANGUAGES: UK English, Slovak, Hungarian, Czech

LEARNING PRINCIPLES:

> Explanation free approach

> PECS principles (picture exchange communication system)

> Global, syllable and sound based reading

> T-H-H-T learning method (touch-hear-hear-touch)

> Minimalistic user interface

> Phonetic spelling

> Lessons organized in a visual mind map structure

PROGRAM OFFERS:

> Automated learning statistics

> Optional font for dyslexic students

> Session video recording

> Index of 800 nouns

> Index of approx. 850 sounds, syllables and words

> Student profiles

> After session summary form

> Visual dictionary in categories:

- Home and Garden

- Human (+ activities, time and number)

- Nature

- Education

- Food-drink

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS for parents, students and others:

> Autism spectrum disorder mind map: ASD visualization per the book: Poruchy autistickeho spektra, Katerina Thorova, Portal 2006, Czech Republic, ISBN: 80-7367-091-7.

AUTHORS:

> Product and release manager: Mgr. Petr Dvořák

> Programming and design: Bc. Szabolcs Számel

> T-H-H-T method author, project supervisor: Ing. Dušan Baranec

> Illustrations and animations: Marcel Kralik, Carlos Henrique Xavier Acosta and Rodrigo Wagner Régis

> Web programming and design: Ing. Pavol Pekarovič and Julie Helene Lima Mattos

> Video production: Ing. Patrik Sklenka

> Sound production: Ing. Roman Pekárek

> Music: Adam Baranec

> ASD consultations and testing: PaedDr. Katarína Mravíková, PaedDr. Petra Vraňáková, PaedDr. Michaela Rumankova

> Slovak voice and language corrections: Ing. Dušan Baranec, Ing. Olga Budinska

> Hungarian voice: Peter Buchlovics, Beata Malecsky

> Czech voice and : Mgr. Šárka Pailová

> Hungarian translations: Ildikó Dankházi, Melinda Marczi

> English voice and language corrections: Scott Elborn, Conor Hanan

> Czech language translations: Meriva translations l.t.d.

WARNING - WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF:

> Excessive tablet usage leads to children's physical inactivity and reduced eye training

> Frequent tablet and smartphone usage separates children from each other and reduces their social skills development

> Consider daily limits to touch gaming and internet technology devices to prevent possible pathological dependence to these kinds of devices

> Be aware that technology may help a lot but also hurt a lot when uncontrolled

> Consider a "reward system": completion of a specified task first leads to the usage of a tablet for a limited time.

ON THE OTHER HAND - TABLETS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT:

> Increases eye hand coordination

> May develop left hand motor skills if trained (for right handed)

> Allows disabled people to understand things using special software

> Teaches and develops skills when many repetitions are required (children with cognitive defects)

> Engages ASD children which provides a period of rest to their parents