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The iPad And How It's Working For Children With Autism

It's amazing how one piece of technology can do so much. The iPad®, designed to be an advanced mobile operating system, has become incredibly valuable to children and adults with special needs. It used to be difficult for children and adults with hearing loss to communicate, but with the iPad, it has opened up a whole new world using "face time." The sister product, called the iPhone®, shows the ability to use face time to communicate through sign language in one of their commercials.

The iPad can be used with children who are verbal and non-verbal. Depending on the apps (applications), a child can enhance their expressive communication, social skills, overall language and more. The following video highlights one mom's excitement over the amazing iPad and the different apps she uses to help her son with autism.

Apps mentioned in the below video

PBS Kids My Journal App-1.99

Virtuoso-Free (note: on iPhone it is called Splatter)

Soundrop-Free

Look in my eyes-2.99

Talking Tom-Free

Tags: autism

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Comment by Becky D. Smith on January 5, 2012 at 1:53am: I am looking for applications to add on our new iPad for school. I know about iWrite and it has already helped one of my students with CP learn to write his name. Awesome piece of equipment! Any more suggestions?

Comment by Heather Wampler Bryant on November 30, 2011 at 9:09pm: I have been researching ways to get my 10 year old one to help him with not only communication but self esteem. This is a big want on our wish list. He plays in the local Miracle League and he and a friend sat there and communicated and played a game both quiet and content. I was definitely amazed and over joyed at the same time. I can not wait to see what the near future holds from Santa!

Comment by Sheila York on August 29, 2011 at 10:46am: We also have the iPad on our wish list. We tried a friend's iPad with our 3 year old granddaughter and, amazingly, she sat still and concentrated for more than 15 minutes! We hope to be able to afford one within the next year. Our problem is finding the right type of apps for it and where to get them. If anyone has any suggestions, we would be very grateful!

Comment by Jill Couri on August 25, 2011 at 7:05pm: An iPad is on our wishlist. We currently have an iPod Touch to which we've added several very useful apps. Some of my daughter's favorites are the First Words Sampler, Natural Learning Concepts' Sort & Categorize Game, Going Places, Talking Tom, The Cat in the Hat Lite, Alphabet Zoo, & all 24 ABA apps that Kindergarten.com offered for free during Autism Awareness month. These have helped her identify letters (upper & lower case) and their sounds, increase her vocabulary, learn how to verbalize & phrase more appropriately, categorize, & so much more. It is also a wonderful distraction tool to cut down on meltdowns in situations where we have to wait, which is a very difficult task for her, sometimes.

Comment by Eva Keane on May 10, 2011 at 1:02pm: Thanks for the video. I love the iPad because it has enhanced my son's love of learning. My son, who is nonspeaking, is motivated at home and school. Over the years I have purchased selective materials to support my son's learning performance. With the iPad, my son is able to achieve his learning objective, indicate his mastery level and facilitate his learning process.

Comment by Hillary Brumer on May 4, 2011 at 10:01am: I love the iPad for so many reasons- there are so many apps out there that help students with Autism and disabilities-from reading, math, social skills, and more. To answer Nicole's Question, there are some turn-taking game apps that can help as well. There are some social story apps-I like Stories2learn that has a script. Works great! Contact me if you have any questions...

Comment by mother of 2 crazy kids on April 20, 2011 at 11:51pm: speaking of apps, because of Autism Awareness month, Kindergarten.com is offering their ABA apps for free this month. I really like: What Does Not Belong?, Which Goes Together? Also, there are similar apps from Different Roads to Learning called Sounds, Clean Up, and those are great and free too.

Comment by Amy Assante on April 20, 2011 at 9:44pm: Lori
Although ur son is non verbal can he communicate by typing? Type n talk by jirbo Inc they have a free version is great and fun. If he can type it could work for communication.

Comment by Nicole Portwood on April 20, 2011 at 3:31pm: I have heard the iPad has apps that help with social interaction. My 4yr old has Cerebral Palsy and is quite shy, prefers to play by herself, doesn't have conversation skills yet. Does anyone know how an iPad could help with this?

Comment by Lori Perseke on April 19, 2011 at 4:19pm: I have a non-verbal 9 year old with CP - anyone have any success with the iPad in a similar situation?