From Jungle Boy to Independent Youth
We are sharing here a moving story told by Dorit Menashe, a homeroom teacher and Hebrew coordinator at the Hattie Friedland (also known as Kiac”h) school for deaf and hearing-impaired children in Jerusalem.
The story is about Ari (not his real name), a child with Down syndrome who is deaf and does not speak. This story won first prize in the “Most Inspiring Story in Memory of Amos Ilani” competition held by Athena Fund. The purpose of the competition is to hear how iPads provided by Athena Fund to special education teachers have helped special needs students reach outstanding achievements.
Ari (not his real name) is a student at the Hattie Friedland (also known as Kiac”h) school for deaf and hearing-impaired children in Jerusalem. He is a child with Down syndrome who is deaf and does not speak. After he was born prematurely, his doctors did not expect him to live. Up until age 11 he needed his diapers to be changed. It was very difficult to communicate with him. He was violent and detached from his environment. His educational level was low, and he barely participated in lessons. The school’s staff tried to provide him with various tools for communicating, but without any real success.
The transformation began when Ari received an iPad with a program that included a communication board. At the same time his teacher also received an iPad and started using it in the classroom. For each subject, a board including pictures was added. When the pictures are clicked on, text is heard. Ari quickly learned how to use the board, and began using it to communicate with his surroundings. He started becoming an active participant in lessons, and even succeeded in conveying experiences.
The boy’s relatives didn’t believe that the iPad would enable Ari to communicate, but thanks to the faith and consistent work of school staff Ari began communicating with the iPad and his whole life changed. The youth found a way to talk, he opened up to the world, and he even began sharing his feeling.
His behavior improved wonders. From a “jungle boy” he transformed
into an independent youth. One highlight was his bar mitzvah ceremony. A board
was prepared for him and through it he thanked his parents and guests who came
to share in his joy. The excitement was immense and no one remained
indifferent. It had to be seen to be believed. It’s thanks to such cases that
special education teachers receive iPads.
The iPad does wonders in special education! It promotes and enhances learning, and allows special needs students to interact with their environment, to learn and to develop.
