iPad for Autism spectrum kids?

[DaughterOfKali]

I've been hearing some great things about how the iPad is a huge help to kids on the autism spectrum (helps with communication; learning social skills; helps eye to hand coordination, etc).

If anyone here has an iPad that they use with the ASD child, please let me know how you like it.

(I run a special needs group irl and many moms are asking about this.)


Oh, my son is on the autism spectrum and has major sensory issues. I think the iPad would be a lifesaver. (the iphone screen is too small for him and makes his double strabismus worse.)

[BookGoddess]

We're not using it, but I've heard from other SN parents and teachers that it's helpful just like the iPhone and and iPod Touch. Not only does it help with communication, but it's good for social interaction with typical peers because it's such a cool new gadget. The other students are curious and they want to see it and this leads to more social interaction with kids. A win-win situation in my book.

[DaughterOfKali]

Thanks for replying!

[Zan&Zav]

mine uses an ipod and its great. lots of neat apps with emotions and sorting. plus it comes in handy in the grocery store

[sapphire_chan]

It is fantastic that this is available now. The last I read about these devices was ShaggyDaddy's blog post about clunky, slow, practically useless devices that cost 5x as much as all the iDevices.

Happy for the kids who get to communicate more and more easily!

[Linda on the move]

how do you see it helping with sensory issues?

[DaughterOfKali]

When my son gets overwhelmed, it helps him to focus on something else completely so that all the other stimulation 'fades'.

Plus, my friend says there's a yoga app. Something that has calming breaths, etc.

[Kristine233]

I am hoping they get more text books in eBook form, for younger grades like elementary and highschool. If they did I'd jump on the iPad for my son. He does so much better when things are in digital form.

[Lollybrat]

We're away for the holiday weekend visiting my parents. They just got an iPad and wanted to but some stuff for DS (age 6 with ASD) on it. Here's some stuff we found:

- iQuestion: an app that helps teach how to answer questions. It was about $5 and DS really enjoys the game. It has 3 levels and he is working on level 2.

- Labyrinth 2 (the free version), which is a game where you roll a marble through a wooden maze and into a hole. Different boards have different obsticles. This is pretty hard for him, but I think with continued play it would help his visual-motor integration, motor planning, and balance.

- A concentration (memory match) game, again a free version.

- My mother loaded a Mahjong game for herself and I was surprised that DS likes it. For him we switched from the traditional Chinese tile set to an alphabet/numbers set, which delighted him.

I wish we were visiting here longer. I would love to find more apps for him!

[DaughterOfKali]

Thanks so much, Lolly!


I haven't heard anything about the grant so I'm not going to hold my breath.