Flower 1

Emily Flower
SERP 513
Parent Interview

1. How does Niko primarily communicate at home?

We try to get Niko to use the talker to tell us what he wants for breakfast, lunch and
dinner, whether he wants the iPad or his phone, and what he wants to do (bike, go for a
walk) as a few examples.
He also uses his eyes (glances) and movements to tell us what he wants.

2. How long has Niko used an AAC device? Has he always used the same
type/program?
Niko has used an AAC device since kindergarten with an 8 position machine. He has
gradually added more complexity and has used the current device for one year-there was
a smaller one since 8th grade.

3. What progress have you seen from Niko since leaving high school?
Niko has gained a lot of confidence and is very comfortable on the UA campus. We think
he does well in his classes and job placement.

4. What are some of the goals you have for Niko in his future?
We would like for Niko to live with other adults in a supported housing arrangement. We
would like him to spend his days working, participating in volunteer activities, getting
exercise and socializing.

5. What are some other skills you would like Niko to learn?
We would like Niko to learn to be more independent with activities such as buying
something for himself, handling money, using his communication device, typing on his
iPad and phone, moving independently from place to place, etc.

6. Has Niko always been educated in an inclusive setting or was he educated in a self-
contained environment?
We have worked hard to educate Niko in an inclusive setting.

7. What are some responsibilities and extracurricular activities that Niko participates
in outside of school?
Niko does his own laundry, helps with setting and clearing the table, takes out the
recycling and garbage, and helps walk the dog. He likes to bike and walk/hike, plays
challenger baseball, swims, loves water slides and water parks, attends an outdoor camp
in Colorado every summer, likes to go to the movies with family and firiends.

8. What are some important qualities of Niko’s best teachers? Why were those
teachers effective for Niko’s educational needs?
 Flower 2

Niko’s most successful teachers would make an effort to see that he could learn, and
understood that he would need visual supports to be able to follow along. They would
participate in planning with EAs and Inclusion Specialists so that visual and other
supports were appropriate and consistent. They would make sure that peers would
include Niko in the activities and support the use of the talker.

9. If you could tell Niko’s teachers (past and present) one thing, what would it be?
Visual supports (and peers) are the key

10. If you could change anything about Niko’s current accommodations or services,
what would you add, take away, or alter?
We would love to find habilitation workers to successfully support increased independent
living skills, increase ability to communicate with peers, and develop and maintain social
relationships. Find a speech therapist who would help with the last two above.

11. What are some activities that your family participates in together as a family?
We eat breakfast and dinner together almost every day, mostly at home but occasionally
out. Niko is close to his grandmother, who lives nearby. We like to hike together, watch
movies, listen to music, and travel (Niko has been to Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Mexico,
Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Mexico and to many of the states)