Posted by Joe P. on 8/14/2012
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Each year, 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with having some form of autism. This includes Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. As these disabilities are becoming more well known, there are many new technological devices that are helping people on the Autism Spectrum.
Tablets such as the IPad have many applications that can be downloaded to help a person with Autism Spectrum function in their daily living. There are applications such as Tap to Talk, which creates a way for the autistic person to communicate with others. "First Then Visual Schedule" is a visual application that helps an autistic person who needs a schedule for his or her day. This application can be used for schedules such as getting ready for the school day. Since many people on the autism spectrum have difficulty with transitioning, this application gives the tablet user the visual reminders that he or she needs to become successful at routines.
People on the Autism Spectrum often had trouble decoding other's nonverbal communication and understanding the hidden rules of society. "Hidden Rules" is an application for tablets that turns learning social rules into a game. In this game, social rules for the classroom, community settings, and friends are on flashcards and the person has to answer what the correct response would be for a card. Learning social rules in this manner turns learning into a game for people on the Autism Spectrum, and they are more likely to remember the social rules for different situations. This will help them in daily life as they remember the answers from the cards on the "Hidden Rules" application.
These applications, along with many others, are available for different types of tablets such as the IPad. Many of these applications are free or inexpensive. To determine which applications would best suit an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is best to research applications, try out free application trials, and ask other people who have a loved one on the Autism Spectrum. As Autism Spectrum Disorders are becoming more diagnosed each year, it is important for people to understand the computer devices that can help benefit a person at home, at school, and in the community.
