Abstract The purpose of this project is twofold. First, this project will determine the types of modifications that are required for effective Pocket PC use for adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. A cohort of 10 parents, a middle/high school student, and teacher will be trained on a Pocket PC that the student will use for nine weeks. Throughout this time the cohorts will meet in focus groups every three weeks to identify potential modifications to enhance the functioning of the Pocket PC for the students. At the end of the nine-week period, the modifications will be forwarded to a programming team who will reprogram the PCs and also program a counter that will measure access to each function. Sixty parent, adolescent, and teacher cohorts will then be trained to use Pocket PCs and they will use them for a semester. Cohorts will meet monthly to discuss modifications and their impact on the student. Baseline and intervention data on a variety of variables will also be taken. Sample variables include: % of homework completed, % of homework turned in on time, number of behavioral issues, grades, absences, number of trips to the nurse's office. The impact of this project will be evident in the undergraduate program beginning in 2003. In the fall of 2003 the Special Education will be introducing new requirements for students. This will include certification in Autism as part of the 5th year program. Members Members include: KU School of Education Faculty Member Brenda Myles bmyles@ku.edu Special Education 4001 Miller University of Kansas Medical Center 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, KS 66160-7335 KU School of Education Staff Member Elisa Gagnon egagnon@kumc.edu University of Kansas Medical Center 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, KS 66160-7335 KU School of Education Student Member Field-Based Teacher Member Scope of Work Activities: Training staff on Pocket PC use. Identifying variables to measure. Recruiting participants. Taking baseline data. Training 10 targeted parents, adolescents with AS, and teachers on Pocket PC use. Meeting with cohorts every three weeks in focus groups. Identifying modifications to Pocket PC. Recruiting 60 parents, adolescents with Asperger Syndrome, and teachers to participate in study. Collecting data on variables. Meeting monthly in focus groups to discuss process. Analyzing data. Submitting results to journals and conferences. Deliverables White paper. Submission to national conferences. Submission to peer refereed journals. Presentations in graduate/undergraduate classes on Methods of Teaching Students with Asperger Syndrome Tutorial on using Pocket PC's with Students with Asperger Syndrome placed on the web or CD. Timeline August 1, 2002 to July 21, 2003 Resources Stipends for teacher support Graduate student (n=2) support Funds for a project coordinator (in lieu of faculty salary) Institutionalization/Extension This project will reveal an intervention that can positively impact quality of life for individuals with AS. Information on this technique will be presented in methods classes in the Department of Special Education. In addition, each student who participates in the study will be able to keep the Pocket PC he/she used. Teachers will have knowledge of how to use Pocket PCs in class settings and can teach their students these skills thus perpetuating the project indefinitely. Evaluation Not fully identified. Sample variables include: # of homework assignments completed, # of homework assignments turned in on time, test scores, grades, absences, # of trips to nurses office, referrals to office for behavior problems. Baseline and intervention data will be taken on each variable.

Learning Generation, University of Kansas, 2005.