iPads and Communication Disorders

Previously we examined various apps that can be used on an iPad for students with autism and communication disorders. After viewing and reflecting on the following videos, I have been able to witness the impact that these devices can have on a student's ability to communicate. They have also provided me with a unique perspective of these students, their parents, and teachers.

In this video we get a special perspective from a girl named Carly who until she was a teenager was thought to be severely autistic and moderately intellectually disabled. As a child, Carly received 40-60 hours of intense one-on-one therapy with little or no progress being made. With the help of text-to-speech technology, Carly is now writing a novel, keeping a blog, and a twitter account. It was interesting to hear her thoughts, "I can't sit still because my legs are on fire and people look at me like I'm dumb because I can't talk." Watching this video it was amazing to see how happy Carly's father was to now be able to communicate with her and how he now sees her as a "sassy, mischievous teenager".  I think that this is a huge breakthrough for students with communication disorders as iPads are so mobile and can be loaded with many communication apps. This technology has clearly opened up a world for nonverbal children that never existed before.

REFERENCE:
Autistic Girl Expresses Profound Intelligence [Video file]. (2011, May 25). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4XMlhCfp3Q

This next video from 60 Minutes provides a glimpse of the perspectives of  the teachers of children with autism. It explains how children with autism show high interest in the iPad's "touch and swipe" screen along with specially designed apps that are helping them to communicate like never before. Teacher's particpating in the study say that the iPad draws students in like no other toy or puzzle and results show that it improves the student's willingness to socialize. I found it amazing that these teachers were able to discover that their nonverbal student Nuno had such a well-developed vocabulary through the use of iPad apps.

 

REFERENCE:
Apps for Autism [Video file]. (2011, October 28). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuCbYNls0V0

After reading the following article titled, "iPads Are Not a Miracle for Children" by Daniel Donahoo, I experienced a slightly different perspective on using the iPad with autistic children. Daniel expresses a concern that this is not the end all be all for students with autism and that parents and teachers should explore how the device best meets the needs for their child. I agree with this completely and as a classroom teacher would always ask  myself that question before just handing it over to a child. However, it certainly seems like more often than not iPads are having positive results with these children.

REFERENCE:
iPads Are Not a Miracle for Children With Autism | GeekDad | Wired.com. (2011, March 2). Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/03/ipads-are-not-a-miracle-for-autism-geekdad-opinion/

In my previous post about apps I mentioned  the PROLOQUO2GO (which from this video I discovered is Latin for "speak out loud") app which is a highly developed text-to-speech app for the iPad. In this next video, Sharyn Alfonsi from ABC News talks to the co-creator about how this app is helping nonverbal students communicate. One thing that I have been thinking about is the cost of getting these iPads into the hands of these children which was also addressed in the article by Daniel Donahoo. I was happy to hear that PROLOQUO2GO is working with congressmen to fund this through the healthcare system.

REFERENCE:
The Conversation: iPad Gives Voice to the Autistic [Video file]. (2010, April 28). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vomkNSluWW4

Finally, we will hear from Donna, a parent of an eight year old daughter with autism who rarely speaks. Donna who will do anything to communicate with her daughter, saw positive signs while working with her daughter on the iPad for the first time.

 

REFERENCES:
Ipad Helps the Autistic Speak [Video file]. (2011, February 8). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWli1-84CNQ

After viewing these videos I can see how the iPad has created so much opportunity for students with autism and communication disorders and their families. It has opened my eyes to how much these students are really learning everyday, but because of autism or communication disorder, cannot verbalize it. I think in the future we will see an increase in the use of iPads, especially in special education classrooms.