iPads used to help children with autism
A Ft. Lauderdale preschool program for children with autism has raised enough money to buy an iPad for each of its 18 classrooms. As United Press International reports, the tablets are loaded with applications such as Proloquo2Go, a communication app that allows users to select phrases and words to make sentences. The school raised the money for the iPads in an "18 iPads in 18 Days" donation initiative.
The Baudhuin Preschool, located at the Mailmen Segal Institue at Nova Southeastern University, specializes in teaching children with autism spectrum disorders with programs designed for pre-kindergarten students. The school teaches about 150 students through a contract with the Broward County Board of Education.
The school is not the first to recognize the opportunities that touchscreen tablets can offer for children with autism. Articles and blog posts about using iPads to help children with autism have flooded parenting Web sites, and in August the SFWeekly profiled a family in that calls their iPad a "near-miracle" for their autistic son, who uses the gadget to help him communicate.
For a look at Proloquo2Go, the application mentioned in the university's press release, check out this intro video to using the app on the iPod Touch from the company's YouTube channel:
By
Hayley Tsukayama
| December 28, 2010; 10:27 AM ET
Categories:
Digital culture, Gadgets, Pleasant surprises
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Hello there. This may be a bit off topic however it affects many families. We have a four year old with autism we are trying to potty train and a soon to be 3 year old with ADHD who isn’t trained yet. They both disrobe and play in their diapers. We actually invented some special needs autism clothing that helps the situation. It is an escape proof pajama called The Wonder Jumper and it is a romper sleeper that zips in the back. Our company is called iKids Fashion www.ikidsfashion.com thanks a lot!
Posted by: davecavaliere1 | December 28, 2010 10:34 PM | Report abuse
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