Autism & the iPad

              

It can be quite challenging to communicate with students who cannot express their wants, needs, and desires verbally. iPads are great tools to implement into the classroom for non-verbal students. Technology is embedded with countless resources that allow students with Autism and other disabilities to effectively communicate with peers and teachers. Applications, such as SoundBoard, provide students with digital boards that include multiple pictures, words, and voice-overs to help students express themselves. Such resources do contain a fine; however, I believe no one can put a price on communication. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, so I believe any fee is feasible when it comes to a student getting the chance to use their voice. If you simply cannot afford to purchase and iPad or the application, you could create your own board out of art supplies and pictures. Out of the classroom subjects, such as P.E. and lunch, could benefit from hand-made SoundBoards. Students could simply walk up to the wall containing the board and point to their desired need. For instance, at P.E., the student could point to the picture of the water fountain that indicates ‘I’m thirsty,’ or the slide to represent ‘I want to play on the slide.’ Environment specific pictures could be used in the lunchroom that represent, ‘I’m hungry.’ ‘I’m finished.’ ‘I want some___, please.’ Or ‘No thank you, I do not want any___.’ The key to making iPads in the classroom effective is consistency. You must use the same pictures to represent the same/similar topics, you must use the board or other applications in your daily schedule, and you must talk with the students and make them feel welcomed, loved, and valued.

Other tools to download on the iPad to increase communication for non-verbal students are TippyTalk, Proloque 2 Go, and UpCard. TippyTalk is one of my favorite apps to use for students. It is a tool that takes pictures and turns them into words. This app is very similar to SoundBoard, and is very beneficial for students to not only see what they want, but they get to voice it, too. The parent or guardian takes pictures of objects that are common to the child and add text to it. Once they click the image, the device will translate the picture into a sentence. From there, the child has the opportunity to send their desire to their parent or guardian by text message. Messages could read, ‘Dad, I am hungry,’ or ‘Mom, I want a hug, please.’ This is an outstanding tool that connects children to both parents and teachers.

     

SoundBoard

A great way to communicate!!!

I think iPads for nonverbal students is an excellent idea. The students in my class would benefit tremendously by using iPads to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Students could use different apps to participate in group discussions. Students could screen mirror their response to the smart board or by using Padlet.  Technology is a great tool that meets the needs of all children.