Virtual Reality? **PART 1**

Technology is slowly taking over the world, and as much as it is frowned upon, many too find it really helpful. As you all know, Zyon have been inseparable with his iPad and really relies it on a daily basis. In fact as a non verbal child on the spectrum, till now he is singing and saying many things  that he learnt from the internet world.

The only thing I haven’t done is invite technology to dinner as a way to say a big thank you!

I have met many parents that have commented that taking away their iPads are the best thing that can ever happen. I too have thought about it but yeah am still procrastinating. First thing first, without the iPad there is literally nothing Zyon can do. Living in a country that is basically a city, too crowded for anything would actually mean there is no backyard for him to play in, working mother is never around during the day on a weekday, other than the iPad, there is nothing Zyon can do. So, instead of taking his one and only entertainment away , I might as well focus on what I can do with technology to further my son’s daily activities!

Ok enough of “introducing technology” - autopilot of self defense mechanism - and today I’m not even really talking about iPad or any Apple products, I’m gonna talk about Oculus VR by Samsung. 

Tadah! (VR Oculus with Samsung s8plus)

Ok, back in August, Zyon and I went out for a walk in the mall and we came across the Samsung booth promoting their great offers for National Day. As I had previously already read about what impact virtual reality can have on children on the spectrum, I decided hey why not let Zyon have a go to see his reaction to the virtual world. 

In the beginning, it was all no movement because he was shocked, he kept looking up and down basically because it’s a 360 degree view. Then, he started moving his feet, and from his body actions, you can see that he was actually afraid he would fall and to step forward 😂. He held my hands so tight and I kept reassuring him that “mommy is just right here” , the next thing that happened made me wept! With tears of Joy. 

Zyon’s first ever sentence, describing what he saw 

“Wow! Look at all the stars!!!”

OMG. 

That was the first time in my 8 years with my son, hearing him say a short sentence describing what he saw. I couldn't contain my joy, I was laughing and laughing and felt so happy! 

I texted his teachers, and everyone was thrilled at this amazing response Zyon had. I wanted to buy it on the spot! But!!! here's the catch, this gadget is not cheap at all..... its actually quite pricey. As Oculus is only compatible with Samsung S7 onwards , just the smart phone alone is equivalent to an iPhone and more expensive than an iPad. 

We then explored the VR apps like planets, animals and Disney. These apps are free for download in the Oculus web and there are so many educational choices. example : nat geo and discovery

Honestly I was really tempted to buy it on the spot but wow it was just too expensive, and for it to be affordable, I will have to save some more. haha. During this saving period I did quite a lot of research  on the gadget itself to make sure that the price is justifiable and that it will really be helpful. Ok, I have to admit there is hell lot of games, and if you are a gamer, I can tell you, this gadget is a godsend. 

But im really just into their educational part. Apps like for learning about dinosaurs, animals and planets. Just reading about it online makes me excited! So next month its his 8th birthday, we decided to get him the gadget!!!! And see where it brings him :)

Ok, so if you wanna know more about the gadget, I have linked them below. Take a look and evaluate on whether you think its worth it *winks winks*

I will update on more when he starts using it!! till then!

VR Oculus : https://www.oculus.com

samsung : http://www.samsung.com/sg/smartphones/galaxy-s8/

                 http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s7/

VR for autism : https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/virtual-reality-training-improves-social-skills-and-brain-activity

                         http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563216303089

upcoming blog : "The 3 words my son never says, but shows me everyday" 

The "CENT"ury of technology and gadgets

Few hundred years ago, there were no computers, no tv, no gadgets, no smartphones . Most imptly, no electricity. The human species have evoluted and has proven that the human brain once "activated" , we are smart creatures without the help of technologies. In those days, "technologies" were refered as "strategies".

Its the 21st century now, the world has changed. As much as i hate to admit,  i fully agree that everytime my smartphone beeps, i get a little dumber. I depend very much on my smartphone for every little thing in my life. As a working mother, i use my smartphone which i shall refer to as my "bestie" , for replying of emails, googling for the latest fashion code, buying stuffs that i cant get anywhere in my country, calculator,  listening to music, watching movies, reading ebooks, sending proposals, calling my husband from the toilet when there is no shampoo left on the rack and even now, blogging.

Apps are seriously useful, no matter how old you are, there is definitely a certain number of apps you can download just by "poking" the screen of your very own "bestie". And once again as much as i hate to admit, it has saved me from a lot of drama when it comes to my kids. Unnecessary cryings throughout the car ride, at the dinner table where the kids are done but you are still halfway through your meal or so long you are in the middle of "waiting" , you will be grateful for the invention of smartphones. 😢😢

Yes i do agree with children experts that says "electronic devices are not good for children", etc etc blah blah blah . I really agree on it. However, viewing from another perspective, its just like computers. 

When computers were first invented, its was a huge thing. Good use, helped alot blah blah blah,  then kids started playing games... addicted to surfing online... bio hazard games... so on and so forth. And the people who used to think the greatest invention of all times starts thinking its not a good thing after all. And bad reviews abt computers started. Which till date is still a bad thing however the human species are not able to live without one after they have owned one.

Many parents like me agree that tablets and those electronic devices are bad for our kids, but the biggest group of consumers are these people. How ironic.  Lol
Well, like slapping myself in the face, i really cant find a reason to convince myself that my kids are better off without a tablet.  Just like the computers only era, although it was a wrong (not bad) invention, and people know it , they still have to learn it and accept it. Cos this is what the society is made of already. It has quietly crept into our lives and became so important that everyone has to have that teeny wee bit of knowledge about it. And today if u are not computer literate, u cant get a good job, you cant connect to the world,  u cant do many things.

Same thing goes with tablets. Its bad i know, but the future is gonna be all abt tabs... at least for the next 5 to 7 years before something much more tech savvy is being invented. And by then the world is moving and working with the help of tabs but your kid dont even have the knowledge of "how to use one " who will be crying then? The kid. Who to blame then? The parents who didnt get them 1 😧😧

Its not an excuse, but breathe in and think about it. Its really not wrong.
I was looking through the website of Autism speaks, one of the biggest organization for Autism and i saw they had a link on their page stating "apps". I clicked in and started browsing, whoa i must say im SUPER IMPRESSED. THE SPEECH COMMUNICATOR??!!!!!!!!!!! GAWD!!!!!!!!!
Something that i have always wanted 😍😍😍 and the next moment, its zyon's birthday next month. I started my crazy research and reading countless reviews and thought about it for a whole month!!!! Finally........ as a parent,  i have decided.... yes.......

I did it. Zyon is getting one for his birthday. 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

Alright. ...... i know you must be thinking me writing so much crap for wat right??.. oh well, to be truthful, whatever i have written is really what i think, a small part though is making myself feel better as a parent that yep i got my 5 years old baby a tab for his birthday this year. However i am really excited about the speech communicator, if you are one of those parents who really want to try on it go to autism speaks website and you will be able to find apps catered to either apple or android usage, i have scanned through its awesome 😄😄 and as im using a tablet, the playstore has alot of apps catered for autism!!! Go take a look!!!

Im super excited. And i cant wait to see zyon's face when he gets his present 😊😊