Presentation by:
Elizabeth Butler
“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
O Complex disorders of brain
development
O Characterized by :
O Difficulties in social interaction
O Verbal and nonverbal
communication
O Repetitive behaviors
Difficulties in Social Interaction
O Poor use of nonverbal
communication
O Difficulty in peer relations
O Lack of social emotional
reciprocity
O Lack of shared enjoyment
Verbal and Nonverbal
Communication
O Communication deficits may include:
O Failure to develop speech
O Use of repeated speech or echolalia
O Difficulties maintaining conversations
O Lack of imaginative and symbol play
Restricted and Repetitive
Behaviors
O Inflexibility to changes in routines
O Unusual preoccupations with
narrow interests
O Repetitive mannerisms (hand
flapping, rocking, etc.)
What does an iPad offer?
O Communication / Social / Behavior
O Apps allow child to communicate wants and
needs with just a touch
O Text to speech
O 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
Things to Consider before
purchasing
Pros
O Easy to carry
O 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 Expandable
O Useful for instruction
and compensation
Things to Consider before
purchasing
Cons
O Breakable / front
glass
O iTunes tied to credit
card
O Overexposure /
distraction for child
O Very little
training/support
available for
educators/parents
O Easily stolen
O Monitor internet
safety
Not a replacement for a
quality teacher
Educator’s job when
supporting use of iPad
Determine use of iPad-CommunicationAAC or AT device
Instructionreading/math/social skills
Therapeutic
calming/stim time/ transition
Monitor progress of goals
Which apps ?
Communication Apps
O Proloquo2go – voice output, research based
O Icomm – basic communication on the go, images must be
O
O
O
O
O
O
added
TapToTalk – comprehensive programming capability
Artikpix – articulation cards, folders for each student,
recordable
Mobile articulation probes – artic/photos
What doesn’t belong – classification
Story builder – asks students to formulate responses
Stories2learn – make it yourself story book
Instructional Apps
O Charles peattie’s animal alphabet –
O
O
O
O
O
animated animal cartoon for each letter
Pocket phonics – word building games
Itouchilearn words – matching, sight word
reading
Monkey math
Motion math
Memory book
Therapeutic
allows child to calm, decrease sensory overload
O Fluidity
O Draw with stars
O Fireworks
O Cookie doodle
O Color and draw for kids
Sites for app lists and reviews
O jonandemilysworld
O momswithapps
O autismspeaks.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
References
Autism Speaks Inc. (2011) Internet safety, social networking and technology Retrieved from
http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit/internet-technologyand-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/familyservices/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-technologyhelp-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-usingiPads-to-help