Autism and the Use of Ipad
The most talked about thing lately in training kids with autism has been the use of ipad. As technology advances newer gadgets are available to help make life simplified and comfortable. Similarly has been the case since the advent of ipad in 2010. Ipad is being used extensively to train kids with autism for an array of communication skills. Not only is it user friendly but its touch screen feature makes it even more compatible for kids with autism. The child can not only use it independently but can master a wide variety of concepts while using it. Many parents, whom I have worked with, have reported that the child’s expression has landscaped since the child has started using the ipad. “He points to pictures on the ipad instead of crying for it”. Since many kids with autism are ‘visual learners’, the ipad serves as great learning resource and provides visual stimulation to these kids.
Some of the apps amongst a dozen of apps available, which can be used with children, are: Sort it out, ABA flashcards, ABC flashcards, big/small concept, what goes together education, touch and learn education, turn taker etc
Some of the advantages of ipad as a learning tool are that the child learns as the child plays, the child learns outstanding amount of skills through trial and error, apps are made so as to facilitate the attention and interest of the child, the child also learns to explore newer skills which are apparently difficult to teach physically. A child with autism may not respond to a request made by people around him/her but willfully follows the protocols used in ipad. A very useful feature is its mobility. You can use it in a school, restaurant, and therapy class, at home etc which increases the benefits to teach a skill at any point of time. It can also be used as an effective communication tool and augmentative communication device.
As everything has its pros and cons so does this. Use of ipad is definitely recommended but under supervision. In my personal experience, many parents reported that their children tend to go on you tube and randomly press videos some which are not suitable for viewing. Monitoring and filtering data can help prevent such behaviors. Also ipad can become an addiction and the child may throw tantrum for it and would want to be on it for hours. As we know child with autism has great attachment to routines and can get upset when the ipad is not available for some reason. It is recommended to have “playtime” fixed for the ipad. One hurdle in getting the ipad is its cost. Not every parent can afford it and thus benefit from it.
Along with it being a teaching tool it can also be used as a great reinforcement. One can use it in restaurants to encourage “good waiting” while others are eating and to manage “behavioral tantrums” in groups. Ipad should not be only used as a game but should be used in an orderly way with the child. Teaching the child to learn the ipad correctly requires patience and time on part of the parent. A friend who has closely observed kids with autism reported that the camera feature adds to the zing while using the ipad and it is visually stimulating for the child to capture objects.
All said and done, Steve Job indeed created a great device and a ray of hope for many parents and children with autism.
Picture courtesy: Google
Aditi Chaudhary
