Presentation by:Elizabeth Butler

Using iPads with

Children with Autism

“I can remember the frustration of not being able

to talk. I knew what I wanted to say, but I could not get the words out, so I would just scream.” --Temple

Grandin

What we should know:• Definition of Autism• What can an iPad provide?• Things to consider• List of best apps

Autism Spectrum Disorder

OComplex disorders of brain developmentOCharacterized by :

ODifficulties in social interaction

OVerbal and nonverbal communication

ORepetitive behaviors

Difficulties in Social Interaction

OPoor use of nonverbal communication

ODifficulty in peer relationsOLack of social emotional

reciprocityOLack of shared enjoyment

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

OCommunication deficits may include:OFailure to develop speechOUse of repeated speech or

echolaliaODifficulties maintaining

conversationsOLack of imaginative and

symbol play

Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors

OInflexibility to changes in routines

OUnusual preoccupations with narrow interests

ORepetitive mannerisms (hand flapping, rocking, etc.)

Prevalence:

• 1 in 88 children are affected by Autism

• 1 child in United States is diagnosed with ASD every 16 minutes

• 1 in 54 diagnosed are boys

What does an iPad offer?

O Communication / Social / BehaviorO Apps allow child to communicate

wants and needs with just a touchO Text to speechO Picture exchanges

O Assists caregivers in identifying child’s knowledge and interests

O Gives child control and the ability to filter out distractions

*Opportunity for child to have mobile visual schedule*Opportunity for parent/caregiver to change as needed*Less sensory overload / very predictable

Stephen Shore, author and

diagnosed with autism, said;

Click icon to add picture

“The iPad might be the difference between communicating with

the outside world and being locked in a

closed state”

Things to Consider before purchasing

ProsO Easy to carryO Easy to program for

individual needs of child

O Less expensive than other AAC devices

O Easily generalized into areas beyond classroom

O Appropriate for all ages and multiple abilities

O ExpandableO Useful for

instruction and compensation

Things to Consider before purchasing

ConsO Breakable / front

glassO iTunes tied to

credit cardO Overexposure /

distraction for child

O Very little training/support available for educators/parents

O Easily stolenO Monitor internet

safety

Not a replacement for a quality teacher

Educator’s job when supporting use of iPad

Determine use of iPad--Communication-

AAC or AT deviceInstruction-

reading/math/social skillsTherapeutic

calming/stim time/ transitionMonitor progress of goals

Which apps ?

Communication AppsO Proloquo2go – voice output, research basedO Icomm – basic communication on the go, images

must be addedO TapToTalk – comprehensive programming

capabilityO Artikpix – articulation cards, folders for each

student, recordableO Mobile articulation probes – artic/photosO What doesn’t belong – classificationO Story builder – asks students to formulate

responsesO Stories2learn – make it yourself story book

Instructional AppsO Charles peattie’s animal alphabet –

animated animal cartoon for each letter

O Pocket phonics – word building games

O Itouchilearn words – matching, sight word reading

O Monkey math O Motion mathO Memory book

Therapeuticallows child to calm, decrease sensory overload

OFluidity ODraw with starsOFireworksOCookie doodleOColor and draw for kids

Sites for app lists and reviews

OjonandemilysworldOmomswithappsOautismspeaks.org

Words to teach by:

O “A treatment method or an educational method that will work for one child may not work for another child. The one common denominator for all of the young children is that early intervention does work, and it seems to improve the prognosis” –Temple Grandin

When you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism” – Stephen Shore

ReferencesAutism Speaks Inc. (2011) Internet safety, social networking and technology Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit/internet-technology-and-safety

Autism Speaks Inc. (2012) Expert Interview: Vicki Clarke MS-CCC-SLP, Technology and Autism Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/documents/family-services/vicki_expert_interview.pdf

Autism spectrum. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2012 from the Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum

Brandon, J. (2011) Is the iPad a ‘Miracle Device’ for Autism? Foxnews.com Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/09/can-apple-ipad-dure-autism/

Jackson, S. (2011) iPads & autism: Can technology help kids communicate? Spotlight on digital media Retrieved from http://spotlight.macfound.org/blog/entry/ipads-autism-can-technology-help-kids-communicate

Juliano, F. (2011) Education matters: Schools using iPads to help autistic students. Connecticut Post Retrieved from http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/EDUCATION-MATTERS- Schools-using-iPads-to-help