(this is not deliberate soft focus..only fingerprints from you know who)
Found out that Spence has jacked up his computer system.....again.
For those of you don't know, my kiddos have a limited range of interests which is typical for auties. Both of my kids have a computer in their bedrooms with speakers.
Each computer is loaded up with the exact same movies, television shows and most importantly, the opening credit montages from their old VHS tapes...(thank you Elgato).
( yoga and movies DO go together)
Spencer's problem is that he likes playing engineer too and will pull out plugs and try to reinsert them, he will jack up the OS by just pushing the power button instead of shutting it down correctly. The list is endless but the premise is that NOTHING can stop him from figuring out how to jack stuff up. And then he bullies Ty off of HIS computer because he can.
Of course we have been dealing with his shenanigans for years now. The trail of ruined electronics....ipods, Leapsters, monitors, keyboards, calculators, headphones, speakers and mice is LEGEND.
Once he even pulled off all the keys on the Apple Keyboard because they have these rubber springy thingies underneath them. They were so fun to squish in your fingers. I don't think we could find them all and had to get another keyboard.
He loved pulling the monitors up to the edge of the desk because he enjoyed burning his retinas so much...must have been great feedback....but the Apple computers connect to the power through the back and so he would yank out the power cords constantly..further jacking up their operating systems. AAHHHH the sweet memories.
We have tried so many different strategies to bomb-proof their situations and the truth is....it will never end. And that is O.K. we just keep trying to stay a half-step ahead of the disaster. Just last month I figured out that when the staff announces out loud that it is time to go to bed...Spence was hitting the power button and shutting down his computer quickly and damaging it. We figured out that the staff needs to call Spence out of his bedroom and walk in their with him to shut it down correctly. Ever since then.....no problem.
Ideally we need a built-in. Something where there is no access to the cables or the power button. Maybe a locked cabinet of some sort. Any suggestions are WELCOME!
This week he ruined the HDMI cable and it needs to be replaced. HOPEFULLY the pins in the port can be repositioned without breaking them......CROSS YOUR FINGERS!
The good news is that the boys DO have something that they really enjoy. To hear them laughing and chuckling as they watch their favorite shows is the greatest! The trick is to keep those good things up and running!!
2 comments:
Oh no! Macs hate it when you just turn them off- but I think they're less likely to totally crash than a pc- I think you would probably do best by keeping the tower in a case like this: http://www.tryten.com/products/Computer-Locker.html and bundle a loop of the cables inside the box and lock it so if its pulled on, it wont disconnect from the computer.
For shutting down you could just use the sleep mode and it would wake up when the keyboard was used.
Just one suggestion, but I hope it helps with your problem- there are also sites that sell computer solutions for schools who have to deal with the same kind of problems.
All the best from us- and if you'd ever like to chat or need additional resources, stop by our facebook page & say hello! We believe in supporting all kinds of awareness and progress in the autism community. :)
Thanks so much Kent! I will look into it. They have mac minis for now. Blocking off the DVD rom would be ideal too.
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