HURON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Storms and natural disasters are traumatic events. People who experience them often see, hear, feel and do things that they have never done before and can never forget. Both children and adults who have intellectual disabilities have additional challenges understanding events that seem to defy explanation in so many ways.
n2y, a leading developer of education products for individuals who have intellectual disabilities or autism, publishes an online weekly current events newspaper, News-2-You, as well as Breaking News articles in different reading levels.
The company is offering free downloadable Breaking News articles about Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma as well as symbol-supported communication boards customized for the different regions, including Florida, Texas and Louisiana. The Advanced Versions of the Breaking News stories include large photos with captions and text. The Regular Versions of the same stories include symbol-supported text for unfamiliar vocabulary and greater understanding word by word or sentence by sentence.
Hurricane Irma materials can be downloaded at: https://www.n2y.com/media/39164/hurricane_irma_all.pdf. Additional resources are available at: https://www.n2y.com/blog/blog/hurricane-irma-resources/.
Hurricane Harvey materials can be downloaded at: https://www.n2y.com/media/39161/hurricane_harvey_all-3.pdf. Additional resources are available at: https://www.n2y.com/blog/blog/understanding-harvey/.
“Using symbols or special communication boards can help families and teachers explain what has happened or will happen in a way the child or adult can understand,” said n2y Vice President of Products Alli Vice. “These symbol-based tools can be helpful in getting the individual to ask questions and discuss his or her feelings about the situation.
“Families and teachers should try to remember that there is no rush and no problem repeating calm, safe, messages with soothing voice, symbol-supports, sign language, or other familiar communication methods,” added Vice, who holds a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.
About n2y: n2y LLC is a cloud-based special education company based in Huron, Ohio. n2y’s special education products include News-2-You®, a weekly current events newspaper; Unique Learning System®, a standards-based curriculum; and SymbolStix PRIME®, a dynamic symbol set. Tens of thousands of classrooms across the country rely on n2y’s products and vision for students with complex needs. For additional information, please visit www.n2y.com.