Kaylee, 2, sat in her wheelchair. Her small, clutched hand reached out and touched one of three cards that her mother, Michelle, held before her. Kaylee had chosen to hear a story about the ever-popular Barney.

The picture exchange communication system (PECS) is a key element of Kaylee’s communication. She has cerebral palsy. Although unable to talk, her demonstrated intelligence goes beyond a 2-year-old.

She waited for Debbie Brewcyzanski, speech therapist, to place the Barney tape in the tape player. As the tape told the story, Michelle turned pages of a Barney book, which coincided with the tape.

Kaylee controlled the pace of the story with a large, red button, 5 inches in diameter. When she held the button down, the tape played. When she released the button, the tape stopped. At what seemed regular intervals, she released the button to rest the muscles in her hand, arm and upper body. Recently, the red button introduced Kaylee to computer technology.

“The computer is a definite reason for choosing services at the center,” Michelle said. “The special-needs hardware is too expensive for us to have at home.”

After Debbie disconnected the red button from the tape player, she plugged it into a computer and placed an IntelliTools, special-needs keyboard on Kaylee’s wheelchair tray. The custom keyboard displayed drawings, indicating games. IntelliTools is a major company that produces software and hardware for special-needs learning.

Debbie helped Kaylee choose a fish game. A black-and-white drawing of a fish appeared on the upper computer screen. Three black-and-white fish appeared on the bottom screen. Kaylee decided which of the three fish matched the fish on the upper screen. Moreover, she released the red button—instead of holding it down, as for the tape player — when she saw the match. As her reward for a match, fish became alive with color and swan in an aquarium, accompanied by catchy music.

“Kaylee is learning the necessary skills to communicate,” Debbie said. “She’s taught me so much. Before Kaylee, I didn’t know the scope of accessing assistive technology for communication, at such a young age.”

“She wants communication, needs communication and is communicating,” Michelle said. “We know generically what she wants and when she is hurting, but the computer allows her to communicate within her capabilities — it’s awesome.”

Dick, Kaylee’s father, also attended the speech therapy session. “Computer technology is pretty cool. It takes a lot of work to understand it.”

Although Kaylee’s future is uncertain, her parents are determined that she learn special-needs computer technology. Soon, a special-needs keyboard will sit on Kaylee’s wheelchair tray. Keys will be covered with pictures, and, eventually, words. Kaylee will press the button that expresses her wants or needs, such as a glass of water. A computer voice will ask for a drink of water.

Holly Ridge Center is teaching options to overcome obstacles.

“We need a place where we feel safe and good, and Holly Ridge Center makes us feel that way,” Michelle said.