Sunday, July 7, 2013

iPads and Students with Autism


The above video outlines a variety of iPad Apps that can be used with children with special needs, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders. IPads can be used to facilitate and support communication, reading, writing, mathematics, music, etc. 

Here are a few examples of specific apps mentioned in the video: 

Yes/No Answers

For many children on the Autism Spectrum, answering seemingly simple "yes" or "no" questions is extremely difficult. The Yes/No Answers iPad app is a great way to see if students understand concepts such as yes/no and can also be used as a means of expression. As students progress, there are also concepts such as stop/go dad/mom, etc. Basically, it is an app that gives nonverbal children a means of expressing their choices. 


Furry Friends


This app features Leonard, a furry friend that responds to touch and voice just like a real pet. This is a great app for students who have difficulty with social interaction because it is a way for them to interact in a less threatening environment. 

SentenceBuilder
This app is designed to help elementary school students build grammatically correct sentences. It is a great tool for students with Autism and other visual learners. 

As someone who hopes to be an Autistic Support teacher, I feel very comfortable incorporating these iPad apps into the classroom. I currently work with children with Autism, and I use a variety of iPad apps in my sessions. I find that these apps make it easier to connect with my clients because it makes social interactions less threatening by making activities game-like and visual. 


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