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Preview: Apps for Autism

October 20, 2011 1:22 PM

Autistic people whose condition prevents them from speaking are making breakthroughs with the help of tablet computers and special applications that allow them to communicate, some for the first time. Watch Lesley Stahl's "60 Minutes" report on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

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by sjonge04 July 15, 2012 8:05 PM EDT
Please check out a new ASD conversation simulation called talk to learn. Go to www.autismunlocked.com
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by dreamweaver1226 July 13, 2012 12:31 PM EDT
Isn't there anything available for Android based tablets?
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by debbistar October 27, 2011 12:12 PM EDT
Thank you for sharing this information. It is amazing that some people do not realize the difference between communication and intelligence. New technology is finally making this way to communicate available to the masses and I am looking forward to hearing what people with autism have to say.
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by AvaKid October 25, 2011 8:15 PM EDT
We created a potty training app after dealing with our daughter on the spectrum. We hope it's helpful! www.avakid.com
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by SLP100 October 24, 2011 2:10 AM EDT
Excellent to see 60 Minutes do a story about a topic so important to so many people. I have used the iPad in Speech Therapy for a year now, and am still amazed by the response. It is now one of my primary tools for therapy- so much so that I created my own suite of apps. As a matter of fact, I was happy to see that "Speech with Milo" was on screen (for a split second) during the story. The Speech with Milo apps are among the most popular among the Autism community for speech therapy. Great story- hope to see more.

Doonan Speech Therapy
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by eaqualsthree October 24, 2011 12:05 AM EDT
Mr. dby643: Your IGNORANCE and lack of compassion really irritate me. You have NO CLUE WHAT AUTISM IS. Before you go speaking about something make sure you know what you are talking about. I'm sure you will find out soon enough right now about one in 100 children has been diagnosed with autism and that numberis rising. So don't be surprised if someone you love or maybe even yourself comes face to face with this monster that is devastatinf families everywhere. And when you do, rember your STUPID comments you once posted.......
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by btp784 October 23, 2011 10:20 PM EDT
in response to dby643's comment, perhaps you should be the one collecting social security for your non-functioning brain. I have a 3 year old son with autism, and he is better behaved than you. as for the whole social security issue, I work, so therefore I have been denied SS for my son, and the only way i would qualify (for $300/mo) would be to quit my job making substantially more than that. your comment basically comes down to you lacking the human emotion of empathy. have you ever heard of the expression "walking a mile in someone else's shoes?" maybe you should try it before leaving comments to stories like this...
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by October 23, 2011 9:42 PM EDT
Are there any grants or funds for familys that can not afford to buy I-pads for there children with autism with the prolouge 2 program? I have twins with autism and live on a fixed income and cannot afford the prolouge 2 for them and one is non verbal and is verbal but has problems with speech.They are 7 years old and have lots of health issues but this new i-pad with the camera to where you could pictures of there personal surrounds would be a great thing for them both.....to progress in life and maybe give my son that is non verbal a voice..Is there any help out there for parents like me with children that need the i-pad and prolouge 2 program?
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by AutismTechnology October 23, 2011 9:29 PM EDT
I enjoyed watching this segment to a point.... As a teacher who works with children with autism, an app developer, and who works privately with over 14 children with autism on iPads for over 1 year, I stress that this is not the answer for all children with autism and that a couple apps will not always increase learning. Trust me I own over 1146 apps. Some are great, yet others are horrible.

iPads are great devices. I am a huge advocate for them, but we need to be cautious about what comes across the media outlets relating them to autism.

As far as "Apps for Autism"...There are no "true" apps for autism. There are apps for the skills that children with autism have deficits in. Do you know what?...Those apps are good for any child... There are so many "lists" that persuade(guide) a parent or professional to purchase apps, "Top 10 apps for Autism", "Best autism apps", "Most innovative apps for autism", etc... you get the point. I know sooo many parents who rely on those "lists" and have spent a lot of money on apps that were not appropriate for their child. Unfortunately, there is no preview option for purchasing an app or money back guarantee.

To see a 27-year-old man use letters to express himself prior to the iPad for communication at such an older age saddens me. This shows that he clearly was not given a proper evaluation when he was younger to obtain an augmentative system. I know other electronic communication devices are expensive, but one can use pictures as an alternative.

I understand, believe me I do the results that the iPad can offer. But the little girls reaction did not surprise me when she was presented with traditional numbers followed by the iPad version of the numbers. I would have liked to see the exact same materials put on the iPad and then seen the reaction. The presentation of the materials on the iPad was completely different, which was a good thing, but how will a teacher maintain that level of interest and use of content. We all know some apps can be customized but others are not.

I thought the segment was a good (not the best) way to allow people to see what the iPad is used for outside of communication in the field of autism.
A tip for parents or professionals...
1. Before downloading a specific app, check with friends or professionals who may use that app first and ask if they will let your child play with it for a few minutes before you purchase it.
2. The iPad itself offers options that many people do not realize, such as the accessibility and restrictions options..Check them out.
3. When looking for an app for your child, search for the skill, not the disorder. Remember you are working to develop or maintain a skill.

Sometimes finding the right app feels as if we are looking for a needle in a haystack. We all want that magic app. I am not sure if it exists yet. In the meantime we need to continue to educate ourselves and learn how to pick the appropriate app for the child/adult with autism or special needs.

PLEASE it's not "autistic people"... it's "people, adults or children with autism"...The person comes before the disorder.
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by g11111111 October 23, 2011 8:42 PM EDT
This report did a disservice to the many who have developed augmentative commo devices over the years many with picture communications and touch screens. It is difficult to believe that the 'professionals' in the report were not aware of these devices; and that the parents lacked the ability to find something suitable long before the iPad showed up. Great ad for Apple that now has become quite expert in product placement.
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