Apps for Autism: Communicating on the iPad

 

(CBS News) 

For severely autistic people, communication is often impossible, leaving them unable to convey what they want or need. But as Lesley Stahl reports, touch-screen apps designed for tablet computers like the iPad are now giving autistic people new ways to express themselves, some for the first time. Teachers and parents are hailing the technology as a breakthrough, one that can reveal the true depth of knowledge and emotion trapped behind a wall of silence.

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The following script is from "Apps for Autism" which aired on Oct. 23, 2011.

In the weeks since Steve Jobs died, there has been an outpouring of gratitude from his fans for the way his inventions, like the iPad, changed their lives.

Among the most passionate are parents of children with severe forms of autism, especially those who can't speak and appear hopelessly locked inside themselves. Those parents often say these kids understand more and know more than they're able to communicate.

"60 Minutes Overtime": Temple Grandin: Understanding autism

Well now, with the iPad and other tablet computers spreading through the autism community, some of those parents are finding out they were right.

It turns out that autistic children show a real interest in the iPad with its easy touch-and-swipe screens. With specially-designed applications, or apps, these computers are helping them communicate and unlocking the isolation of people like 27-year-old Joshua Hood.

Imagine spending your life having conversations like this...

Lesley Stahl: P, L...

...having to poke out words on a laminated piece of paper - one letter at a time.

Stahl: C. Plastic.

It was so frustrating for Josh, his mother Nancy says he would often give up and retreat into himself. At family gatherings, he was sidelined because no one understood him. At school, he sat passively in class unable to participate. When Josh was feeling bad or really needed something, the family resorted to charades.

Nancy: So, you'd be like-- you know, can you spell it? Can you show me? And so, he would--

Stahl: You'd act it out almost?

Nancy: He would. He would-- he would look around a room and see if he could find somethin' that sounded like it.

Stahl: Just to tell you one little thing?

Nancy: One thing that he wanted, yes.

[Waitress: How are you?]

But not anymore.

[Josh, using iPad: I want a drink.]

For the past year, Josh has been using an Apple iPad as his voice and he is - well, he's reborn!

[Waitress: What are we havin' to eat today, Josh?

Josh: I want bagel bacon please.

Waitress: Ok.]

Now when he goes to the local diner, he can order his breakfast, himself. Josh's mom downloaded a special language app and added pictures, videos and symbols that allow him to convey his feelings.

Karen Sughrue is the producer.

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[readcbsnews]

I found a few apps that are helping my autistic child. June Blossom ABC Coloring Book seems to work well. I highly recommend it.

http://itunes.apple.com/be/app/abc-coloring-book-june-blossom/id475213250?mt=8

[comfiecozy]

Every since I was a shadow with a young boy with Autism, I believed what this article proves...many children deemed non verbal, or low functioning(I hate that term), are extremely smart, have many interests and have a lot to say, they just have a difficult time getting the brain to release all the words, thoughts and feelings, they have trapped in their heads. Some of the things many of us are guilty of, is assuming what children with Autism are capable of, how they feel, what they understand, their interest, their hopes and their desires, due to our own lack of patience, and labeling. The younger boy I shadowed had a lot to say, when he was given the time and opportunity to say it :-) I would also like many people to remember these are not "Autistic Children"...they are Children with Autism...Autism, is not who a person is, it is a disability they have... You can best see the person first, if you put the person first. Get to know the person, and learn to work around how the autism that may come into play in that PERSON'S life, don't make assumptions based on a text book description, because it is not the same for everyone. My greatest blessing working as a shadow was I didn't know enough about Autism to label, or limit Noah, I had to see Noah for Noah, who he was and his communication style :-)...Noah isn't Autistic, he has a disability labeled autism. Noah is a child, who loves water parks, canoeing, can spell better than me, is great at math, climbs the expert side of the Rock wall, and contrary to the text description, loves "round up time" at camp which can get really loud:-) ...he taught me so much about the importance of seeing the person first, and placing their disability to side...I will be forever grateful to God for bringing Noah into my life.

[CappDodd]

The iPad is without a doubt a remarkable device. It is providing parents with autistic kids a means of communicating with their children more effectively. Thanks Steve Jobs! http://******/uKEMfQ

[Becoming_Special_Ed]

As I am in my course work to become a Special Educator I have been shown how some verbiage is offensive. Check out this article to see what I mean:
http://disabilityisnatural.com/explore/pfl

[iAutism]

For those interested in "Look in My Eyes", which is mentioned in the program, I published a review of it some months ago at http://www.iautism.info/en/2011/01/30/review-look-in-my-eyes-eye-contact/. I suppose it's this TV program what has generated so many visits to this concrete page. In www.iautism.info/en I also publish a list of AAC apps for iPad/iPhone and another similar list of apps for Android.

[NJDad]

I was thrilled that 60 minutes chose to do this segment. For too long most people believed that people with autism and others have nothing to say and are "low-functioning" by virtue of the fact that they are nonverbal.

I was surprised that the segment left the impression that before the iPad, the only available AAC tools were crinkly pieces of laminated paper. What about touch-screen speech generating devices made by companies like Prentke Romich and Dynavox? Your story missed the fact that Prentke Romich just relased an app which is an acknowledgement that they will have to morph into more of a software company to stay relevent. Also missing was any discussion of the importance of the role of a speech-language pathologist in determining appropriate AAC tools.

As the parent with a child with autism, I am not so concerned with person-first descriptions. After all, a brown-eyed girl is also a girl with brown eyes. I was more irked by the stereotype that people with autism related more to machines than to people. My son wants to talk with people. He just can't get words to come out of his mouth.

I've launched a conference this year, Augcomm New Jersey, which deals with related issues.

[TaylorTalks]

I am thrilled that this technology is making the news. HOWEVER as the mother of a nonverbal child that does NOT have autism, I am VERY frustrated that this is being called "Apps for Autism" What about the tens of thousands of kids that are nonverbal and NOT autistic. CBS please report this information correctly. I run a foundation that deals with this technology and none of the kids we have helped have autism. Thanks

[UncommonBlogger]

As a parent of a nonverbal child who uses an iPad (among other things) to communicate, I felt that this story was incomplete, and perhaps overly crafted. I've posted a response to it here:
http://niederfamily.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-kid-is-nonverbal-we-use-ipad-and-i.html?spref=tw

[babblerem]

It was not until my son and I attended an I.T. course that my son came into his own. He had been diagnozed as profoundly autistic when he was a child and was refused any formal education until he was 9 or 10 because, as the local education dept. said, 'because of his disability of mind' and could not speak until then. Doctors told me he was a 'write-off'. He took to computers like a duck to water and the tutors nick-named him 'Cyber-Junkie'. Eventually he was able to attend University and graduated in computer science. Some write-off!! He will be 58 in December and is great company and makes us all laugh as he has a ready wit and a great sense of humour.

[silicide]

This was a good episode, despite the fact that autism pieces tend to spin into controversy.

Between Pixar and IOS, Steve Jobs has had a huge impact on my son - and I'm glad that someone recognized it publicly for once. ipads are fantastic for early autism education...so much so that i'd cut off my right pinky finger before I'd let my son go without one again... and he's not even 5 yet.

If this piece didn't inspire you to run out and buy a tablet for your autistic son / daughter / niece / grandson / neighbor / friend, then please consider donating your old iphone to a special needs child when you upgrade to iphone 4s or defect to android. Iphone is a special device in the hands of an autistic 3 / 4 / 5 year old. It has a fantastic external speaker, amazing durability and improved battery life....and runs nearly all the same apps as ipad. If money is the issue, then you haven't been paying attention or don't realize how serious the long-term financial ramifications of autism are. This can be a life altering game changer for someone you care about.

Ipod touch doesn't cut it...an autistic child is going to benefit much more from a disconnected iphone since headphones are completely unnecessary on an iphone. Not so with the touch.

ipad and iphone are hands down the best platforms available for young children with autism today.
I didn't purchase 6 ipads, 5 iphones, 3 ipod touches and 300 apps on a lark.
Another tablet may dominate in the future..who knows...but today the ipad is the undisputed king.

The reasons are simple:
1) battery life 10 hours max (so huge...I cannot properly express what this means to life as it exists)
2) outstanding durability (my ipad has been drop tested from 9 feet regularly, never a cracked screen)
3) ease of operation (3 year old can figure out how to use it)
4) software integration with itunes and other ios devices...buy an app once, no malware...runs on all devices
5) amount of available media....books, games, movies, tv shows, apps, etc (unparalleled...growing investment)
6) initial cost of $500 - $700 is a significant purchase, but the value is enormous and build quality is excellent
7) 85% market share...1st and best to market

Finally, if I have learned one thing, it is that autism is a constant companion.
IOS devices can improve quality of life and education, but they will not resolve the underlying condition.

Please stop looking for a miracle cure and start appreciating the person whom depends on you for who they actually are. No matter what the condition, they are individuals worthy of respect, caring and acceptance.
Frustration and blame come easily, but true happiness takes caring and commitment.

All the ingredients for happiness are at your fingertips. Use them.
I'll get off my soapbox now.