iPad helping Children with Autism
By Ashley Harrell Wednesday, Aug 11 2010 in the SF Weekly
For autistic children, the new iPad is an effective, portable device for teaching communication and social skills. It’s also way cool.
I came across this 2 weeks ago and it was a “piece of good news” instead of all the stuff that we usually have to hear each day. Technology can make a difference to some children who really need all the help they can get to understand the world around them.
“Since the iPad’s unveiling in April, autism experts and parents have brought it into countless homes and classrooms around the world. Developers have begun pumping out applications specifically designed for users with special needs, and initial studies are already measuring the effectiveness of the iPod Touch and the iPad as learning tools for children with autism. Through the devices, some of these children have been able to communicate their thoughts to adults for the first time. Others have learned life skills that had eluded them for years.
Though there are other computers designed for children with autism, a growing number of experts say that the iPad is better. It’s cheaper, faster, more versatile, more user-friendly, more portable, more engaging, and infinitely cooler for young people. “I just couldn’t imagine not introducing this to a parent of a child who has autism,” says Tammy Mastropietro, a speech pathologist based outside Boston who uses the technology with numerous clients. She sees it as a game changer for those with autism, particularly those most severely affected.”
