AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
The theft of her iPad has devastated Isabelle Owen, shown with mum Tracey Thomas. Picture: DAVE COX
A NON-VERBAL girl with autism who uses an iPad to develop her speech is devastated after burglars broke in to her home while she slept and stole the precious tablet.
Six-year-old Isabelle Owen, who attends the Chalet School for pupils with special needs, uses apps on the iPad such as Tracing Words to help with her communication.
But on Sunday night, burglars broke in through the front door of her home in York Road while the family slept upstairs and made off with the iPad and a set of keys to the house and car.
The family have now changed the locks and taken the car to a secure garage.
Isabelle's mum, 37-year-old Tracey Thomas, said her daughter was extremely distressed by the loss, and is appealing for help in getting the property back.
"I got up on Monday morning at 5am to go to work, came downstairs and noticed the front door was wide open and we had been burgled," she said.
"They had come in we were all asleep upstairs. I think I might have disturbed them, because I remember being woken up by something before rolling back over.
"The only thing they grabbed was my Isabelle's iPad. She is autistic and non-verbal, so it is not the value of what's been taken but the effect it has had on her.
"The iPad just gives her an avenue, so if she can't tell me what she wants to watch on TV, she can go on YouTube, and there are autism apps on there which can help her, like Tracing Letters, and she enjoys going through photos on there.
"She gets home and the first word she says is 'iPad'. It has helped her come along with her speech, and she will say a few words now when she didn't before.
"Her older brother is now a young carer for her, and he has just turned eight, so it is a young family.
"We work hard, and obviously we care for Isabelle on top of full time work, so it is very upsetting that this scallywag has been in our house and hasn't cared about the consequences.
"Isabelle is very upset and she keeps asking about it. We have already had two meltdowns, and I can't reassure her and say leave it a couple of weeks, because we don't know what will happen."
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "Offenders are believed to have broken in through the front door, and stolen an iPad, as well as a number of keys and tobacco.
"Officers are carrying out a thorough investigation and house to house enquiries are continuing."
Tracey added: "The iPad itself was in a black defender case, with pink stickers on it, so whoever took it clearly knew it belonged to a child.
"I bought it second hand a couple of years ago, and it has a name engraved on the back, either Catherine or Caroline."
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area between 10pm and 5.30am should call police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.
SOURCE: Six-year-old girl with autism devastated by iPad theft (From Swindon Advertiser)
The theft of her iPad has devastated Isabelle Owen, shown with mum Tracey Thomas. Picture: DAVE COX
A NON-VERBAL girl with autism who uses an iPad to develop her speech is devastated after burglars broke in to her home while she slept and stole the precious tablet.
Six-year-old Isabelle Owen, who attends the Chalet School for pupils with special needs, uses apps on the iPad such as Tracing Words to help with her communication.
But on Sunday night, burglars broke in through the front door of her home in York Road while the family slept upstairs and made off with the iPad and a set of keys to the house and car.
The family have now changed the locks and taken the car to a secure garage.
Isabelle's mum, 37-year-old Tracey Thomas, said her daughter was extremely distressed by the loss, and is appealing for help in getting the property back.
"I got up on Monday morning at 5am to go to work, came downstairs and noticed the front door was wide open and we had been burgled," she said.
"They had come in we were all asleep upstairs. I think I might have disturbed them, because I remember being woken up by something before rolling back over.
"The only thing they grabbed was my Isabelle's iPad. She is autistic and non-verbal, so it is not the value of what's been taken but the effect it has had on her.
"The iPad just gives her an avenue, so if she can't tell me what she wants to watch on TV, she can go on YouTube, and there are autism apps on there which can help her, like Tracing Letters, and she enjoys going through photos on there.
"She gets home and the first word she says is 'iPad'. It has helped her come along with her speech, and she will say a few words now when she didn't before.
"Her older brother is now a young carer for her, and he has just turned eight, so it is a young family.
"We work hard, and obviously we care for Isabelle on top of full time work, so it is very upsetting that this scallywag has been in our house and hasn't cared about the consequences.
"Isabelle is very upset and she keeps asking about it. We have already had two meltdowns, and I can't reassure her and say leave it a couple of weeks, because we don't know what will happen."
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "Offenders are believed to have broken in through the front door, and stolen an iPad, as well as a number of keys and tobacco.
"Officers are carrying out a thorough investigation and house to house enquiries are continuing."
Tracey added: "The iPad itself was in a black defender case, with pink stickers on it, so whoever took it clearly knew it belonged to a child.
"I bought it second hand a couple of years ago, and it has a name engraved on the back, either Catherine or Caroline."
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area between 10pm and 5.30am should call police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.
SOURCE: Six-year-old girl with autism devastated by iPad theft (From Swindon Advertiser)
