My wife, 3 kids and I went to a Special Olympics sponsored West Coast Conference women’s basketball game between St. Mary’s College and University of San Diego. We appreciate the opportunity to have attended the event. The kids did too.

If you have autistic kids, the Special Olympics is a super organization to be a part of. Here is a link to the Special Olympics:

http://www.specialolympics.org/Locations/Special_Olympics_NA_Nevada.aspx

Here is a link to the Western College Conference, who we also appreciate for allowing for us and the kids to attend one of their Women’s basketball games at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas.

http://www.wccsports.com/

Here is a link to the Orleans Hotel–>http://www.orleanscasino.com/

I saw a recent article on www.lilliespad.com in reference to Apple’s works with new technology to help with communication and education for people with special needs and communications challenges.

Apple has shown interest in new technology that would make it possible for content to be delivered to multiple users with unique disabilities, dynamically catering to each of their specific needs in a setting like a classroom.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week revealed a new patent application from Apple entitled “External Content Transformation.” Discovered by AppleInsider, the document describes a method for disseminating content from a host computer in a format tailored to accommodate a user’s disability, identified from their client machine.

For example, Apple could dynamically distribute content tailored for relatively simple needs, like larger font sizes or screen sizes. In more advanced examples, content could be re-purposed as synthesized speech in a variety of languages, or in Braille.

Their website, plus Apple Insider are both work checking out on a regular basis.

Apple Insider can be found at www.appleinsider.com

I had recently saw an Article about Temple Grandin Speaking at Druryn University, I am quite intrigued by her talk. I plan to see the recent movie about her life. She is a fellow high functioning Autistic/Asperger’s person.She seems to have lived a remarkable life and is quite bright and influential in her works. I would love to also achieve renown in my efforts to talk technology and help people affected by autism.

Temple Grandin, who didn’t talk until she was 3 1/2 because of autism, didn’t have to utter a word Thursday before she got her first standing ovation at Drury University.Mary Failla, a single mother raising an autistic son, teared up as soon as she saw Grandin, now 63 and a college professor, author of six books and the subject of an HBO movie. The disease, the cause of which is unknown, affects social and communication skills, but Grandin told an audience of about 2,500 that she would not choose to not have autism.

“I often get asked, if I could snap my fingers would I want to not have autism?” Grandin said. “No. I like the logical way I think. I don’t like the emotional sloppy imprecise way that most people think.”

http://www.theautismnews.com/2011/03/04/autistic-professor-temple-grandin-inspires-crowd/

She is quite an inspirational speaker it seems. I recently reached out to her organization but have not hear anything back so far.

There is an amazing autism documentary on the horizon that will be released just in time for Autism Awareness Month in April. Directed by Gerardine Wurzburg, “Wretches & Jabberers” follows two grown men with autism as they embark on a world quest to change attitudes and perceptions about their disorder. Tracy Thresher, 42, and Larry Bissonnette, 52, travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland, deliberately challenging people’s attitudes and assumptions about their intelligence and capabilities.

I was recently on the web and found this article from http://www.autismkey.com/autism-documentary-by-oscar-winning-director-set-for-release/

Here is an article with regards to FaceSay, the exciting new product that I spoke about the other day it was published by Ingrid Maria Hopkins, Michael W. Gower, Trista A. Perez, Dana S. Smith, Franklin R. Amthor, F. Casey Wimsatt and Fred J. Biasini.

They have a link download the paper on their site.

Abstract
This study assessed the efficacy of FaceSay, a computer-based social skills training program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This randomized controlled study (N = 49) indicates that providing children with low-functioning autism (LFA) and high functioning autism (HFA) opportunities to practice attending to eye gaze, discriminating facial expressions and recognizing faces and emotions in FaceSay’s structured environment with interactive, realistic avatar assistants improved their social skills abilities. The children with LFA demonstrated improvements in two areas of the intervention: emotion recognition and social interactions. The children with HFA demonstrated improvements in all three areas: facial recognition, emotion recognition, and social interactions. These findings, particularly the measured improvements to social interactions in a natural environment, are encouraging.

Here is the link for more information–>link,

Courtesy of You Tube and Cnet, your welcome for the free advertising…
Here is the press video from Mr. Steve Jobs at Apple.

Here is the official press release from Apple. I would like to credit Engadget with the picture. I love Engadget, would like to be like them someday as well as advocate for autism.

Ipad 2 photo courtesy of engadget

Apple Launches iPad 2

All New Design is Thinner, Lighter & Faster with FaceTime, Smart Covers & 10 Hour Battery

SAN FRANCISCO-March 2, 2011-Apple® today introduced iPad™ 2, the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more. iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors.

“With more than 15 million iPads sold, iPad has defined an entirely new category of mobile devices,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “While others have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we’re launching iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again.”

With the new front and rear cameras, iPad 2 users can now make FaceTime calls to millions of iPhone® 4, iPod touch® and Mac® users so they can see family and friends anywhere there is Wi-Fi. Photo Booth lets you apply fun visual effects, including eight photo special effects like Squeeze, Twirl and Kaleidoscope, to photos captured by either camera.

iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, with new features including faster Safari® mobile browsing performance; iTunes® Home Sharing; enhancements to AirPlay®;** the choice to use the iPad side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute audio; and Personal Hotspot to share an iPhone 4 cellular data connection over Wi-Fi.*** Additional iPad 2 features include a built-in gyro for advanced gaming; HSUPA support for enhanced 3G upload speeds on iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G on AT&T, and HDMI Video Mirroring that lets users mirror their iPad screen on an HDTV using an optional adaptor.

The innovative new iPad 2 Smart Cover provides protection for the iPad screen while maintaining its thin and lightweight profile. Designed with a unique self-aligning magnetic hinge that makes it easy to attach and remove, the new iPad 2 Smart Cover automatically wakes iPad 2 when it’s opened and puts it to sleep when it’s closed, and has a soft microfiber lining to help keep the screen clean. The Smart Cover also folds into a stand for typing or viewing videos and is available in vibrant polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69 in a range of colors, including a (PRODUCT) RED one which helps support the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Apple also introduced two new apps: iMovie® and GarageBand® for iPad, both available on the App Store℠ for just $4.99 each. With iMovie, iPad 2 users can shoot and edit videos right on their iPad and post their movies to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and their MobileMe℠ gallery; watch them on their iPod®, iPhone or iPad; as well as view them on their HDTV using AirPlay and Apple TV®. GarageBand turns your iPad into a collection of touch instruments and 8-track recording studio, allowing you to perform with onscreen keyboards, guitars, drums and basses using multi-touch gestures–even if you don’t play a musical instrument.

iPad 2 runs almost all of the over 350,000 apps available on the App Store and there are more than 65,000 native iPad apps available from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The iTunes Store gives iPad users access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 14 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 10,000 films including over 3,500 in stunning high definition video. The iBooks® app for iPad includes Apple’s iBookstore℠, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device.

Pricing & Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available on March 11 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps will be available on March 11 for $4.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore.

iPad 2 will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25; and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

**AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the latest software.

***Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should check with their carrier for availability.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

I wish I had been there, will go to future events if invited, hint….

Business and the Ipad 2–>

IPad features incredible applications like Mail, Calendar, Notes, and Safari in a beautiful, thin and light design, so you stay productive anywhere. With easy, secure integration into business environments and a robust platform for app development, iPad is ready to start working when you are.

The new ipad 2 could prove to be a great business productivity tool. With the hdmi capabilities it has powerful capabilities for business presentations. When I get one I will definitely incorporate one into my presentations, planning, organizing and entertaining!!!

Please check out the link here–>http://www.apple.com/ipad/business/

Ipad 2 a killer application, the better mouse trap now exists!!!

An incredibly responsive Multi-Touch screen. A large, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display. A design that’s thin and light enough to take anywhere. iPad isn’t just the best device of its kind — it’s a whole new kind of device. And it’s poised to change the learning landscape.

The original Ipad was very beneficial to special needs and autistic people the new one should prove to be better.

I especially like the Facetime capabilities, how thin it is and its design.

If some one would like to send me one I would love to use it to test ipad applications.

For more information from Apple as far as education and the Ipad 2 take a look at this link–>http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/

Ipad 2 and Education