iPod Gives Woodridge Man a Voice

Like most 22-year-olds, Jason Grudem can be found with his iPod Touch in tow uploading photos and logging his daily activities.

But unlike most, the Woodridge resident is using the device to communicate.

Diagnosed with autism around age 3, Grudem has verbal apraxia of speech and is not able to speak. But through his use of the iPod Touch, he has developed the ability to communicate and work as a service clerk at Walgreens in Bolingbrook.

“Jason carries it in his pocket all the time and he’ll pull it out everywhere,” said his mother, Althea.

In May, Grudem was recognized during SEASPAR’s second Believe and Achieve Banquet, which paid tribute to its program participants, community partners, volunteers and staff at the event.

Providing year-round recreation services for people with disabilities, SEASPAR is an extension of the park districts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lisle, Westmont, and Woodridge, and the villages of Brookfield, Indian Head Park and Western Springs.

Grudem was honored with the Achievement Award, which is given to a participant who has overcome a significant life obstacle or had a very important breakthrough which changed his or her life.

During the SEASPAR banquet, Grudem wrote a speech and programmed it into his iPod Touch. Using the Proloquo2Go application which has a speaking function, he was able to hold the iPod Touch up to a microphone and have his speech read aloud in front of the more than 300 people.

“That was really exciting,” Althea Grudem said.

Jason Grudem has been involved with SEASPAR since he was 5.

“One of the great joys of our staff is to see an individual we met as a preschooler and watch them develop into terrific young adults,” said Executive Director Susan Friend. “And Jason’s a shining example of that. We’re thrilled at the success he’s achieved.”

Last year he was featured in Walgreens' 2010 annual report. Grudem is one of hundreds of employees with disabilities who work in Walgreens stores, distribution centers and other locations.

At work, Grudem is able to use his iPod Touch to communicate with customers and employees.

On the weekends, he uses his iPod Touch to keep track of his activities so he can tell his friends what he did when he sees them on Monday.

“He’s a pretty cool kid,” said his mother. “He’s very engaging and happy. He likes to be around people.”