Monday, August 30, 2010
iPad Helping Children with Autism
Recently, I read an article about how the iPad is helping kids with autism. If you have the time, it is a great article to read. I'm sure Apple was surprised at the success and usefulness for kids with autism to use the iPad and didn't realize that market as a source for their iPad. One reason it seems to be successful with children with autism, is that it has a touch screen, which is easier for many kids to type on, search on, and communicate on. It is like having a touch screen on a computer (which many families with children with autism buy because it is too difficult for their child to move a mouse while looking at a computer screen) except it is smaller, portable, and looks way cooler. Having iPad's for my students would be amazing and it could really open up a lot of doors for children with autism and other disabilities. There were, however, a few things in the article that I did not agree with. One thing being that it made several references to children with autism not liking to socialize and preferring to socialize with computers and not humans. In my years of experience I don't believe this to be a true statement. Yes, kids with (and without) autism enjoy technology, however, they also want to interact with other, make friends, and feel connected to peers. All humans need to be connected to others, and this does include children on the autism spectrum. Take the time, read the article, and as you read the article, be a little cautious of believing everything you read. http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/
Labels:
ADHD,
Apple,
Aspergers,
autism,
children,
communication devices,
community,
computers,
iPad,
learning disabilites,
lessons,
special needs,
teachers,
teaching,
technology
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I am concerned with all these technologies we have become an I-nation. First the Ipod, then the Iphone and now the Ipad. These technologies which are pretty cool are addictive and time consuming. We are doing a good job of supporting Steve Job's dreams.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Human beings are highly social. We need human connection and support. Our highest need is to get love, acceptance and validation. We have to be careful that as our world becomes more technological we don't lose that capacity to love one another and to care and to connect with another. After all, that's what truly makes us alive and human!
Portable internet devices are a great way to help certain autistic kids prepare for new situations.
ReplyDeleteWe use our laptop and netbook to show our child YouTube videos, powerpoint presentations, internet sites and websites to prepare for new situations. For example, we decided to go apple picking last minute last weekend. Normally he might be overwhelmed by the crowds and the commotion at a busy Fall Apple Farm (pig races, cooking, tractors, animals, lots of people and kids etc etc). While driving there we found a cartoon about Apple Picking on YouTube and showed it to him to prep him. Worked out very well.
Ditto for museums - the musuem websites usually have good pictures to give a person heads up on what will be seen at the museum.
Another example, our relatives made a short video of their home, pets, street and the bedroom we would use when we would go to visit them and posted it on YouTube so we could show him in advance.
Thank goodness for mobile internet and its ability to take the anxiety out of a situation for some kids on the spectrum!
Thanks for sharing your ideas and how technology has helped your child! There are so many positives that can come from using technology and it can be very helpful for children on spectrum and children not on the spectrum!
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