New Browser Created for Autistic Children

[Sporg]

Not sure if anyone saw any of the articles regarding the Zac Browser, but it looks like a cool tool to help autistic children use computers.

/pointless-story on
My wife is a kindergarten teacher and had an autistic child two years ago. The kid was non-verbal. In her classroom part of the time is spent doing centers. Basically short activities at "stations" where the kids rotate through. One of the centers had computers. I'm not sure what they did there but she tried letting the autistic child use one. She noticed that he appeared to be typing words as she was speaking to another child. So she opened up word and asked the child a question about a topic that she covered that morning. The child was able to type an accurate response. I think they started using a laptop to help the child be more involved.
/pointless-story off

Ever since we decided to have a baby I've been freaked out about autism, so I tend to get OCD about stuff surrounding it. I just don't understand it and can't wait to get past the age of 3 or so... 2.5 years to go.

Anyway, I saw the Zac Browser this morning and it looks like an intersting tool for some autistic children. Since autism is such a spectrum disorder I'm sure it wouldn't work for all. But it might be cool for a child to use when really little. I've got my 6 month old sitting on my lap banging away at the keyboard right now. There are a few sites that I visit where funny shapes and sounds go off when he hits the keyboard, and he absolutely loves it. Anyone know how to get baby drool out of a G15?

http://www.zacbrowser.com/

[DMB2000uk]

I heard that putting keyboards in the dishwasher worked for one of our members
It might not have worked the second time they did it though!

Dan

[martini161]

other than taking all the keys off and cleaning with high purity alcohol? if its on the tops of the keys themselves you can just wet a cotton swap and wipe them

[Sporg]

LOL, sorry, I was just being silly about the drool in the keyboard. I've been good about catching it in time or wiping it up. I was thinking about building something for the little guy to bang on. Was thinking of taking an old keyboard and steal the board out of it. I have some extra buttons from when I built my MAME and could make something for him to bang on that I wouldn't be afraid to get broken.

[martini161]

they sell cheap usb number pads at bestbuy for laptops, probably a good size for his hands. nice and portable to

[DMB2000uk]

If you want to start him off on the path to RSI that early, then this is the best thing to start him with.

Dan

[Sporg]

Very cool, I had not checked for anything like that yet. I guess since I'm considering building something I probably could take a look around the web and see what's out there.

[vicaphit]

I heard that putting keyboards in the dishwasher worked for one of our members

That guy still visits the forum. Last login was 05 May 08. Though he hasn't posted for a while.

[DMB2000uk]

If you're reading this, sorry Maxtron! It's too funny not to suggest every time someone wants to clean their keyboard though

Dan

[vicaphit]

Yeah, I feel kinda bad too, I hope he has a good sense of humor so he can laugh at his own mistakes.

Funny though, this is the only sort of flaming I have ever seen on these forums... horray for LR!

[dicecca112]

Dan, don't make me Ban your for a Day for Spamming

[martini161]

Yeah, I feel kinda bad too, I hope he has a good sense of humor so he can laugh at his own mistakes.

Funny though, this is the only sort of flaming I have ever seen on these forums... horray for LR!

guess you never had the privalige or reading a nein post huh?

[Alathald]

guess you never had the privalige or reading a nein post huh?

I thought we all signed a packed to never speak that name again? fun times, fun times...