How a plush bear named Sammy made my son eager to learn

This is a post by Dina Kyle, mom to six-year-old Aiden. This post was featured here on The Bluebee Pals Blog as well as Autism Speaks. The family lives in New Hampton, New York. 

Aiden is my handsome six-year-old son. He is non-verbal and has autism.

Aiden (AJ) lost his speech at 18 months and at the same time, stopped eating. You could see he wanted to talk but you could tell there was so much going on inside his mind. Along with losing his speech and eating issue, Aiden developed a problem with focusing and making eye contact. From one day to the next, there were dramatic changes.

When Aiden was first diagnosed, I felt he needed to learn the old-fashioned way. With the help of our speech teacher, Aiden received at home “Early Intervention”. For therapy aids – we used trains, pictures, various objects and flash cards. Aiden’s speech teacher would sit with him to talk and show him the different objects. He would try so hard to talk, but only sounds would come out. He would sit and play with the train while trying to say what was on the card.

Aiden would try harder each day until he was able to tell us each of the objects and pictures placed in front of him – he just loved learning. As he was able to identify more objects, we added more material to challenge him. He is an amazing little boy.

Using technology and apps as tools for special education

I refused to use electronics in Aiden’s therapy until he was at least trying to speak. I wanted him to see how we were talking, interacting and how the mouth moves without the use of electronic devices.

Once he was able to speak, Aiden’s teacher started using her iPhone to play educational apps and games with Aiden. He began to ace the programs like there was no tomorrow! I could see how focused he was on the games and how well his memory was working.  I knew right then that this was the way to go!

For my birthday, my husband gave me an Apple iPad – I knew nothing about its power and magic. I spent endless nights awake, looking for apps, games and anything that I thought would help Aiden. I believe the power of these apps and devices is so amazing.

Then through a contest I won, Aiden received a Bluebee Pal educational plush toy named “Sammy The Bear” that connected to my iPad. I synced the Bluebee Pal to my iPad and started listening to The Three Little Pigs and The Little Engine That Could. Aiden is very leery of plush animals so I was very shocked when he sat beside me while I was listening to Sammy the Bear. I asked him what story he wanted to hear and we went from there.

Aiden was watching Sammy’s eyes and mouth move as the story went along. As I happily watched, Aiden began to laugh and talk to Sammy, asking him questions I would normally ask him. Aiden stayed sitting for what seems like hours without getting up once…high five Sammy!  We are going to try sight words next so stay tuned!

We are having so much fun with our Bluebee Pals. I have decided to show AJ’s school in hopes they will see all the educational values.   We have open school next week and will present Bluebee Pal “Sammy Bear” so we can explain all the wonderful and educational values of Our Friendly Bluebee.

When it comes to using technology and apps, Aiden is pretty much self-taught. He takes his iPad and searches out videos, digital books and apps that interest him. He loves to read and listen to stories. It’s these learning activities that help him with speech development. Senses and physical abilities that come naturally to us like speaking, focusing and eating must be taught to and learned by Aiden, and he is well on his way.

Aiden is so eager to learn, he is my lil hero!

Learn more about Bluebee Pals here!