Autism and the iPad

As a teacher, there is a huge chance that you will have a child that is on the Autism spectrum. One of the biggest hurdles for students with ASD and teachers is the barrier in communicating. Students with Autism can have a difficult time with putting their feeling and thoughts into words, which makes it hard for these students to connect with teachers, peers, and the world around them. So what can we do as educators to ensure a true connection and understanding of students with Autism. A surprising answer may be the iPad. This technology is so important to have in school to support students with Autism. The iPad is used as a tool to revolutionize how students with Autism can connect to their peers and express their thoughts and emotions. The iPad is such a functional tool for many reasons. The touch screen is very user friendly and more accessible to students who may have learning difficulties or problems with coordination. The iPads are also extremely mobile, which differs from a regular computer. Students can have them throughout the day because they are very easy to carry around. Another reason why iPads are the perfect tool to bridge the communication gap is because they provide many different apps to meet the needs of students on the spectrum. As stated above, students with Autism can have difficulty communicating their thoughts, needs, and wants. Apps, such as TippyTalk and Touch and Learn-Emotions, have made the process of communicating so much easier for students with Autism. These apps were new to me, so I was very interested to find out more about them! TippyTalk allows kids to send a text that is formed through pictures, but the receiver of the text would get a text in written form. It takes the chosen pictures that the child with autism would pick and then translate it into written text, which can be better understood by teachers and other adults. The Touch and Learn-Emotions app helps students to identify different emotions based on facial expressions and body language. These apps can be very beneficial in reaching a child with Autism. It will allow a connection to be made that may not have been possible without using iPads. Another way the iPad can have a positive effect on students with Autism is by using it as an aid during transitional times. An iPad can provide students with a visual schedule that will make them aware of what they will be doing and when. An iPad can give students with Autism an easily accessible schedule that provides structure and routine which is imperative for students.