Sound it out

For two hours every Tuesday and Thursday things are hopping with five 2-5 year olds at N.C. Central University's ATIPP clinic. The children are full of smiles. The graduate students are animated and high spirited. The classroom is decorated with posters, artifacts, games and activities — all bursting with color.

The preschoolers are called to gather in a circle. They are excited. Will it be a story? Maybe it'll be "My First Words – Let's Get Talking."

Who knows? Perhaps the iPads are coming out today. Maybe, just maybe, it'll an app like Talking Tom or ABC Tracer. Parents look on. They are all smiles.

ATIPP — the Assistive Technology for Infants and Preschoolers Project — is a comprehensive therapeutic center for children having trouble with their speech, language or hearing.

"ATIPP is a huge blessing to our family," said Asher Johnson's mother. "We are excited to get to be a part of these services … we're really glad we found out about it."

ATIPP is the brainchild of Sheila Bridges-Bond. The clinic's director founded ATIPP in 1998 in partnership with the National Black child Development Institute.

Over the years it has received support from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the Rehab Therapy Foundation, U.S. Department of Education and private donations.

Bridges-Bond, an expert in speech pathology and the interim chair of the Department of Communication Disorders, says she was influenced by her grandfather, who became blind as a result of glaucoma, and by Anne Sullivan, the teacher of the deaf and blind author and activist Helen Keller.

Sullivan is known for figuring out how to break through Keller's lack of language and allowing the young Keller to learn to communicate.

Sullian got Keller to realize that objects have names by running cold water over one hand while spelling "water" with her finger on Keller's other hand.

"I knew I wanted to be in the helping profession and serve individuals with disabilities," said Bridges-Bond, reflecting on the influence of Sullivan on her career.

Bridges-Bond is assisted with the clinic's day-to-day operations by Zaneta Ponton, the clinic's supervisor. Ponton also developed a passion for helping at an early age.

She said she was influenced by the needs of her godsister who was diagnosed with deafness at 2 years old.

Like Bridges-Bond, Ponton is proud of the service the clinic provides. "I believe in the program," said Ponton, adding that the clinic provides a valuable service to families whose children need a little assist.

At the center of the action in the clinic are NCCU graduate students working on master degrees in communication disorders.

Kelsie Ward said she feels "lucky and thankful" to be able to work with the preschoolers. "ATIPP has opened my eyes," she said, "to the wonderful world of augmentative communication and assistive technology."

Sauna Marie Philips said her work with the preschoolers "is an absolute pleasure." According to Philips the technology helps them capture the preschooler's interest.

"It is gratifying to see their faces light up when we use an iPad program like Talking Tom, for example, or a visual and auditory storybook application to facilitate and develop language, literacy and learning skills."

Memory White said they use framework called the Universal Design for Learning that provides learners with "multiple means of engagement, representation and expression."

She said technology — such as the iPad — helps motivate the preschoolers.

"There is nothing more rewarding than to see these children succeed in their goals," said White.

"The parents and the children are entrusting you with a great responsibility, which is to provide a safe place for their children to learn, interact, and most importantly, TALK!

"It is very challenging, but it is that challenge that make the rewards that much sweeter."