Ipads: Giving a Boost to Children with Autism

　

by Carolyn Roe, WS/FCS Preschool Psychologist 


If you ask parents of a preschooler with autistic characteristics what is their major concern, at least 95% of them will tell you communication. They want to be able to know what their children want and need. So, if there was an affordable device that could assist in this communication, would you be interested in learning more? The iPad is such a device providing applications (apps) that give children the verbal output they are unable to provide themselves.

　
The first iPad hit the market on April 3, 2010, and it was not initially perceived as an educational tool. Its usefulness has proven itself in almost every market, including education. The iPad goes beyond the picture-only format of other interventions, allowing words to be spoken along with the pictures, rein-forcing language in a child-friendly way. The cost of iPads ranges from $400 to $700, and this is much more affordable than technology-based devices (which can run to $15,000). Dr. Margaret Herbert, a pediatric neurologist and neuroscientist at Massa-chusetts General Hospital of Harvard Medical Center in Boston, reports iPad apps allow individuals to bypass neuromotor problems getting in the way of communication. It takes away the "extra baggage."

Many parents sing the praises of the iPad and the late Steven Jobs. Three parents have brought their children for evaluations through Preschool Intake with iPads and have shown the examiners how adept the children are on the device.

As with anything new there are always skeptics. Daniel Donahoo‟s article, "iPads Are Not a Miracle for Children with Autism," cites several points to this argument. His main point is it is not a device working alone, but with the support of teachers, therapists, and parents. No two children can be supported in the same way. Areva Martin, attorney turned autism advocate, points out that overexpo-sure is not a good thing. A child will retreat into another world when allowed to do so.

Are iPads the answer to the autistic child's communication problems? Possibly. It depends upon the child, the circumstances, and how they are used.


Resources:
www.wired.com: "iPads Are Not a Miracle for Children with Autism" by Daniel Donahoo
FoxNews.com: "Is the iPad a „Miracle Device‟ for Au-tism?" by John Brandon
Fuseworks Ltd.: "iPad App to Help Children with Autism"
CNN Report: 5/15/2012: "iPad Gives Voice to Kids with Autism" by Supraja Seshadri
www.eschoolnews.com: 01/28/2013: "How iPads Can Support Learning for Students with Autism," by Laura Devaney, managing editor
www.care2.com: 10/05/2011: "Thank You, Steve Jobs: iPads and Autism" by Kristina Chew
CBS: 60 Minutes: 07/15/2012: "Apps for Autism" with Leslie Stahl
Here is additional information on the use of iPads with Autistic children from Autism Speaks.  

 https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/technology/maximizing-use-ipad

 

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