Elizabeth Williams Technology in Special Education, EDUC 432 Southwestern College

 A portable tablet computer (between the size of a cell phone and a laptop computer), that is marketed by Apple, Inc.

 Audio-Visual Media  Music  Games  Apps (Applications)  Web Access

iPads allow even young children to participate in interactive learning apps

Are There Apps Designed Specifically for Children with Autism?

 An App designed to help with fine motor skill development and handwriting readiness. Interactive touchscreen is appealing and stimulating while working on developing fine motor skills.

 App designed to encourage children with Autism who have difficulty making eye contact.  This App helps develop social skills, while playing a game (requiring them to look in a person’s eyes), earning rewards, and creating their own virtual zoo.  App designed to encourage children with Autism who have difficulty making eye contact.  This App helps develop social skills, while playing a game (requiring them to look in a person’s eyes), earning rewards, and creating their own virtual zoo.

 While playing this game, a number will flash in eyes of the child on the screen (Which changes each time). The child playing the game must identify the number in order to earn points.

 There are multiple versions of this game to suit the interests of the child, including: - The Train Version - The Ocean Version - The Dollhouse Version - The Restaurant Version

 This App helps children develop reasoning skills, in addition to increasing their language skills.  Children are asked to answer questions based on realistic scenarios in a series of challenge/reward games.  This App helps children develop reasoning skills, in addition to increasing their language skills.  Children are asked to answer questions based on realistic scenarios in a series of challenge/reward games.

1. Simple interactions that encourage children to learn patterns of conversation. 2. Students can record all or part of their conversations. 3. Multiple group settings available. 4. Students can respond to pre-scripted questions. 5. Conversations can entail multiple steps. 6. Conversations can be personalized based off the student’s individual interests. 7. Pre-recorded audio is combined with the student’s recordings to create a complete conversation. 8. Conversations can be saved for later review. 9. Over 150 conversation topics available

 Each child learns differently, but many parents and teachers say…”Yes!”  According to one parent interviewed by CNN, she claimed “It gave [my child] a sense of control she never had before” (Sheshadri, 2012).

“Teachers say the device has educational, therapeutic, and entertainment value and combines many useful functions into one device” (Education and Technology, 2012).

 There are over 700 Apps available through ITunes that are specific to children with Autism.  They are cost-effective (ranging from $.99 – $4.99) AT tools that can benefit a broad spectrum children.

 Many parents and educators feel that, if used properly, they have many beneficial applications.  The interactive nature and ease with which the iPad functions enables its usage across a broad spectrum of abilities under the Autism umbrella.

 Sheshadri, Supraja (2012). iPad Gives Voice to Kids With Autism. Retrieved on October 19, 2012 from gadgets/ipad-autism/index.html gadgets/ipad-autism/index.html  Education and Technology (2012). Teachers Using iPads to Instruct Autistic Children in New Ways. Retrieved on October 19, 2012 from ipads-instruct-autistic-children-ways/ ipads-instruct-autistic-children-ways/