Rochester, N.Y.--Josh Nodine has a hard time explaining what he wants and what he is thinking. The three-year-old
has Spastic Quad Cerebral Palsy. Speech and movement are problematic.
"With his CP, the muscle tone is really strong. He has one good side and one not so good side," explained Jamie Nodine, Josh's mother.
About six months ago, after plenty of research, Josh's parents bought him an iPad 2 to take advantage of speech software.
"What's great about iPad devices is that they make communication very accessible for our children who have limited communication ability like Josh," said Kimberly Miller, a speech pathologist with CP Rochester.
He uses one particular application called "Tap to Talk." It lets Miller or his parents know what he's thinking or needs.
CP Rochester has two of its own iPads and iPods. They were provided through a golf fundraiser held last year.
They are used on a case-by-case basis by adults and children in the program.
There are other touch-screen devices that have been used by CP Rochester for decades, some are even more advanced in ways than iPads, but Miller said they are far more costly.
For the Nodines, Josh's tablet works just fine.
"I'm hoping it will be his voice. I'm hoping that he will use it communicate with friends, that someday he will get up...you know in college and he'll give a lecture through it," said Jamie Nodine.
