Autism and iPads

Autistic children have difficulties in everyday situations, especially in social situations. Ipads can help them communicate and feel less frustration and anxiety. Using apps, teachers and parents can use pictures rather than words to communicate. Some apps that are good for creating social stories are My Story, Little Bird Tales, and Kid in Story. iPads are beneficial to autistic children because they do not need to use a mouse or stylus, it eliminates the difficulty of moving eyes from keyboard to screen, and most of all the portability of an iPad is beneficial. Students can take iPads with them to look at their schedule and to communicate by answering questions. An example is a yes/no app, the child can answer yes/no questions by selecting their answer. Social stories are great tools for helping autistic children know how to act in social situations. Teachers and parents can use them to reinforce correct behavior, teach routines, and give visual examples of behavioral expectations. These stories need to be written in first person to help them relate themselves to the situation. Some links: http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/SubCategory.aspx?id=9 http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/practice/engage/social-stories.html