handheld homework computer | ADHD Information
They have palm pilots here in canada refurbished for under 50 bucks. I see many fold-down keyboards to be able to type normally anywhere for about 20 bucks. There are a number of FREE word-like word processors that will save and edit in compatible ways on the net - just upload to it. And you can strip out games, etc and leave the daytimer and word processing.
Just a word of advice. Very cheap and does what you want it to!
I am so thankful that we live in this technological age that has so many assistive devices.I am not familiar with handhelds with Word on it. but if it is just notes a Palm might work or a palm with a keyboard.
TI puts out a Keyboard that connects to a graphing calculator which you can use to prepare lab reports, short essays, take notes cut, copy, paste. Check Texas Instruments.
Ds absolutely loves his Dana Alphasmart. It may be larger than what you are looking for but it has organizational software built in which has changed his life. He is super obsessive organized now!
It has programs Word, Excel works on a Palm OS so all of his class notes are in itwhich he can download to a computer print.
Check out http://www.alphasmart.com/products/dana.html
It does not have games and can be dropped without damaging it. Which is good in a back pack going to and from school. It is not cheap 0 but has been well worth it.
jfla238813.7766898148i dont recomend anything electronic....
I am recently been diagnosed with adhd combined, and had already finished most of my first year of law school.. I "took notes" on my labtop, and despite my adnormally high intelligence(not my words...hehe) i wasnt doing well in school. Then going through the whole process of evaluting my life, academic career(like elementary school..on), I noticed that with this disorder anything shinny, new, and or cool is playing with fire. So..... I recomend this..
Buy him a smaller new, nice notebook, make it cool for him(he is 15-it will be hard), and tell him to use it as well as his regular notebook. Say use this notebook when you hear something important or interesting, or just anything thats on his mind, tell him to try not to doodle in it.. then at night. go over both and have him or both of you combine the notes. I think this might help.
I bought yellow pads and it has changed my life, and now that im on meds. woo hoo
just try to avoid the electronics, from a former underachiving lazy high school student
My son is 15 and having trouble writing down his homework and actually bringing home the assignment. Someone suggested a handheld computer that only has a word program on it - no internet, no games - does anyone know where I could locate? Thanks!
Hello there...
A friend of mine has a electronic planner that whe bought at Radio Shack. (**Only has a calculator/money&measurement converter/address book**)
i am also interested in knowing.
an adult friend of mine who is ADHD uses a palm pilot and he said he needs it to function. this is why i think my son might like getting something (less expensive) like it.
EDITED TO ADD: the radioshack product - is it this (~):
gettingclear38813.642662037Different things work for different people. I got a laptop and have been using it extensively the past two semesters and everything has improved for me. I get off track a little now since I got a wireless card, but I daydreamed before I got it, at least now when prof mentions a website or a certain topic for us to look up later I usually go ahead and google it and don't forget. I also take my notes in Word amd keep very organized files that i would not otherwise be able to do.After I told my wife I thought I have ADHD she donated her PDA to the cause and I have been usig it as well for appointments, assignment due dates, remembering to check the oil in my car, keeping track of random (but important) thoughts, etc.
I realize that for a 15 year old there might not be enough self discipline to use the technology in a constructive manner, might be too much of a temptation to wander off on less constructive pursuits, but don't completely rule it out.
I am poor, but used my financial aid to purchase my laptop (about 0 total) and my wife asked for her PDA for Christmas. It was around 0.
I would be lost if I had to go to school without my electronic doodling devices.
My ds uses an alphasmart 3000 and we are waiting for the school to load all the programs so he can move up to an alphasmart dana, like jfla2. The dana has wireless capability as well as 8 files for work. We use file 1 to take down all homework assignments. The rest are used to generate schoolwork. I love it because I no longer have to decipher handwritten notes in his planner (ds has dysgraphia, a problem that causes him to have very poor handwriting). He can download his work to our computer via a USB cable for the 3000 and then e-mail it to his teachers. That's been a Godsend! He does his homework and then sometimes panics and can't find it to turn it in. When we started e-mailing, his missing assignments went down dramatically! One issue to consider is whether your ds wants to use something that sets him apart from the other kids. Ds's social studies teacher said "Patrick has never had a problem with being the center of attention." Ds has a tendency to be a class clown, so I suppose I shouldn't have worried. I hope this helps. Welcome, amylou! Another thing in the university setting that has helped me is that my professors are moving more and more to the electronic submission option. I have one professor (for two different classes) that does everything through Blackboard (bulletin/communication program). As soon as I am finished working on something, whether I am at home, sitting in the library or on my way to Timbuktu for the weekend I can go ahead and submit it and not have to worry about getting it to class in a physical form. Then he sends an email when they are all graded and I can go and look at my grade online right then.
This has been the absolute best thing for me. I wish this had all been around when I first started college. Heck, it would have been great in high school too.
I deal with a lot of digital files and having a lot of electronic toys has made my life so much easier.
I have:
Laptop (it is mine and mine alone)
Wireless card
Jump Drive
Cell phone (for pestering my wife as I think of things)
PDA- when the laptop os too bulky
I use my laptop when I am in the computer lab. This helps me avoid using virus laden school units and I have a student version of the GIS software we use so I don't really need the school machines except for certain applications not included in my version. Then I have the jump drive for transferring files to my machine quickly and painlessly.
These things have been the best blessings in my life ever. I haven't really realized it until just lately either. I just thought they were cool toys to have.
Take full advantage of technology. Don't shy away because it will pass you by and you will be really lost. Don't deny your adhd kids the opportunity to get AHEAD of the game if you have the means.
It takes a little more responsibilty to take care of electronic toys and not to misuse them, but they are worth it if the kid can handle the responsibility.
You might want to look at this website:
http://www.alphasmart.com/
I think this is along the lines of what was suggested for your son.
Good luck! My daughter also has writing issues and will be spending the summer learning how to type in the hopes that it helps her with writing stuff down.