using iPads, computers, other technology

Hi all -

I'm curious to know about people's experience with using technology to help an individual with autism. There's rapid growth in this area and my agency is trying to determine how to move forward in supporting children and adults to take full advantage of technology.

Are you using an ipad or other device? What are the most useful apps or programs you've found?

What sort of training or support would you like?

What are your expectations from the school or service provider for training or support for using technology?

Thanks for your input!

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Permalink Reply by John Weymouth on December 6, 2011 at 4:00pm

Starfall.com has been the best help for my 4 year old son. We use the website directly, My son loves to be on it. Currently he will spend about 7-10 hours a week on it, more if we let him. Currently he enjoys "word hunting" to finish sentences with words hidden in a picture.

getting ready to read, phonics and letters

learning to read

creating calander of events

animated nursery rhymes

We will be buying an iPad around christmas time and the school has some that we will be using for social stories as part of his structured day.

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Permalink Reply by Le'Ann Milinder on December 22, 2011 at 3:11pm

Thanks for the info. I know others who use starfall as well.

Have fun with the iPad! So far every kid I've seen using it has really loved it.
We are exploring it's use as both a communication and scheduling device.

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Permalink Reply by Courtney on December 29, 2011 at 10:07pm

We use ipad apps with a stylus pen because my boy won't write on paper (which made it difficult to learn to write letters) but for some reason, he loves that stylus pen and learned to write all the letters on it, then I made a rule that he had to do it on paper first, then I pad and it working out OK. He is young so we use an app "Elmo loves the alphabet" which is preschool skills.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Abbott on December 31, 2011 at 9:38am

We have been using the iPad for many things. The "Autism App" is great showing all the latest apps geared towards autism.

I'm all about Proloquo2go right now. My daughter does much better with visuals. Some of her harder ABA programs have been set up on the ipad as a visual support such as learning "I, Me, My, Your" or recall programs where she travels a distance.

My daughters reading skills are really starting to come along but we need to know that she understands what she is reading. I have the iPad 2 so between the symbols available on the Proloquo2go and snapping a quick picture I am able to make grids of pictures to identify if she knows them vs. printing 100's of pictures.

We are implementing her ABA schedule that is hung on the wall to be on the iPad and/or iTouch.

We are also in the stages of testing devices as a AAC device and I know the iPad will be on the list.

The iPad was also a nice way for her to play with her sister in taking turn games. I can spart her to socialize with the iPad vs. the traditional board games that are not motivating.

I take an apple product where ever we go to help in the situations of waiting for long periods of time whether it be her iTouch or my iPhone. I do not put games on her iPad at this point because I don't want her to "play" with it as a toy or entertainment since we are using it for communication and ABA programs. It would be great if there was an app that could lock folders so I could unlock games at appropriate times on the iPad.

I found a cute case that looks like a purse for her to carry it across her chest. It's very cute but I wouldn't recommend it for a child that throws things. Sarah is pretty good with it so I have less concern. The best part of the case is that you can flip it around and block the button so she can close the screen.

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Permalink Reply by Noel Marcoux on January 4, 2012 at 8:55am

I agree that the Autism Apps is a good resource. One of my other favorites is App Shopper, this is a great tool for searching for apps. It is for all apps out there not just disability related. What I like most about it is that is has a wishlist feature which you can add apps you may have heard about but don't want to buy just yet. It gives you push notifications of all updates and price changes on the apps on your wishlist. It great to get notified that prices have dropped!

We have been using Answers Yes/No, an inexpensive app for quick choice making. The other communication app we are using is Tap Speak Choice; I was able to buy it for 50% off just before Christmas.

Michelle, could you please give me more information about the case you bought. I'm looking for an option for Jeff to carry the iPad. Cute is not my priority :) since he's 16 but your description of it used across the chest intrigued me. Thanks, Noel