"Technology is a huge game changer for students with autism and it is important that as educators we use them appropriately. They should not just be used to 'tame' the student who is having a meltdown, or as a 'filler' when students can't keep up with the 'mainstream' work. When used properly, technology (specifically the iPad) can bridge the gaps for the students who have learning differences; and can be utilized to differentiate lessons like never before." Join in on the discussion, using iPads with children who have autism. A lot is being said in the news, through advocacy agencies, education providers and various social media networks. What does this all mean? Will an iPad give children with autism a voice? Will it improve on their education? We explore all of these questions and look at the situation as a whole. We come to our own conclusions... What are your thoughts? What has been your experience? Where do we go from here? My new iPads for Autism Education courses are now available through the University of North Dakota Autism iPad Techniques to Bridge Learning Gaps http://educators.und.edu/onlinecourse/?id=DLT.IPAD.ATSM.TCHNQ Turn Your iPad into a Augmentative Communication Device http://educators.und.edu/onlinecourse/?id=DLT.IPAD.CMMDVC iPad Strategies to Engage Students with Autism http://educators.und.edu/onlinecourse/?id=DLT.IPAD.ATSM.TCHNQ

1. iPads,
Technology
and Autism
By Karina Barley – M.Ed.
and
Digital Learning Tree
www.digitallearningtree2.com

2. About Karina Barley – M.Ed.
Karina has over 25 years of
experience in the education sector,
and she has taught in both
mainstream and special
education schools.
It was her interest in autism and
how to provide better educational
opportunities for her students with
autism that led her to iPads.

3. In 2011 she successfully trialed iPads
with her special needs class and saw a
massive transformation with her
students with autism. That year she
completed her Master of Education
specializing in technology and special
education, and received high
distinctions for her pioneering work
on iPads for autism education.
Since then she has developed over 15
courses available to teachers in
America, Australia and Singapore.

4. This presentation was created
to begin a dialog and discussion
regarding using iPads and
technology with children who
have autism.

5. Please note that each article
referenced will have a
hyperlinks, taking you to the
source.
There will also be other links in
this presentation for your
reference. You will be able to
click on words/images and be
taken straight to the website.

6. Using technology
with children on
the Autism
Spectrum.

7. The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention
report that
developmental
disabilities are increasing
in the U.S.

10. What is the
media telling
us?

11. Washington Post
recently reported that
industry analysts
estimate U.S. schools
will purchase 3.5
million tablets by the
end of the year.

12. The media and
various advocacy
agencies are
reporting on the
benefits of using
iPads with children
who have autism.

13. iPad gives voice to children with
autism
Is the iPad a “miracle device” for children
with autism?
How iPads are helping children with autism
iPads help late-speaking children with autism
develop language
The Advantages of iPads for Special
Education Students
60 Minutes – Studying iPads and autism

14. Why are iPads so popular?
• The iPad has a large variety of
accessibility options, including Voice-
Over and Text to Speech
• With each iOS update the
accessibility options have vastly
improved
• Easy to navigate
• Large variety of apps
• Lightweight and easy to hold
• Individualised learning is made easy

15. So what does this
mean for children on
the Autism
Spectrum?
How will this effect
Autism Education?

16. Special Education
schools are
implementing iPads
into their
curriculum.

17. Hawaii School Adopts iPad Program
for Students with Autism
Digital Assessments Evolve for
Students with Autism
Technology Gaining Foothold in
Special Education
iPads especially helpful for
special-needs students

18. Various
organisations are
giving away free
iPads to children
with autism.

19. 5 Ways to Get a Free iPad for your
Special Needs Child
ASDF iPad Program
How to Get an iPad for your Child
Ways to get an iPad...
iPad’s for Autism Application

20. Autism Speaks
recently had over
16,000 applications for
their free iPad grant
program.
800 children were
awarded free iPads.

21. There are many apps being
designed specifically for
children with autism and
being marketed as “autism
friendly”.
Educational publications,
bloggers, and advocacy
organizations are creating lists
of the “best” autism friendly
apps.

22. 22 Best Mobile Apps for Kids
with Special Needs
Autism Apps
13 Best Autism Apps for the
iPad
14 Expert-Recommended iPad
Autism Apps

23. Wheel of AAC Apps by Sally Millar and
Gillian McNeill of CALL Scotland

24. Apps for Students with Autism Spectrum
Disorders by Mark Coppin

25. Including recommendations
from Karina
27 Visual, Sensory, and
Augmentative Apps for
Autism
Visual Schedules using the
iPad

26. What is the
autism
community
saying?

27. Lets take a look at
Carly Fleischmann
and see how
technology impacted
on her life
ABC 20/20 Interview

28. Temple Grandin
has some insightful
thing to say about
Kindles and iPads
Part One
Part Two

29. What does the
research say?

30. iPads in Special Ed: What does the
research say?
iPads May Help Boost Speaking Skills in
Kids with Autism: Study
iPad and Limitations in Teaching Children
with Developmental Disabilities
List of Academic papers on iPads and
autism
Karina’s research

31. Autism Aspect Australia
published a short research
article on iPads for Autism
iPad Update

32. They found that
“Recent advances in personal computer
technology have revolutionized the
options available to support children
with Autism for developing their social,
communication and daily living skills.
With relatively affordable devices and
cheap (of free) software applications
now widely available, parents and
special educators alike have welcomed
iPad developments.

33. To date, however, the impact of
personal tablet computers on short-
and long-term outcomes for students
with ASD has not been
comprehensively researched.
Researchers are advising parents to
seek professional advice before
acquiring a tablet computer or
applications in order to ensure the
child’s individual needs are being
met. “

34. Regarding iPads for autism
education, Disability Scoop
reported
“Gray, of AIR, emphasized that
no technology, no matter how
dazzling, can do it alone.
‘There’s no magic here,
whether you’re talking about
kids with disabilities or general
education classes,’ she says.

35. ‘You need teachers who
understand technology, the
support to do it well, and
professional development.’”
Tracy Gray, Managing
Researcher for Education at the
American Institutes for
Research.

36. The iPad is not a
“miracle device”.
For this technology to
help your child, there
needs to be a trained
adult driving the
process.

37. And as Carly
Fleischmann has shown
us, don’t assume
anything!
All children with autism
have a voice, it is up to
us to help them find it.

38. Technology
could possibly
be the key, if it
is used
correctly.

39. Things to consider before
implementing technology
• What are you hoping to achieve when
using technology with your child with
autism?
Will it be for educational purposes,
communication assistance etc.
Creating a clear goal will help you
with the next steps
• What technology is available? Is there
a way you can test the various
options?

40. • What are the accessibility options for
each device?
• What apps/software is available for
each device?
• How much are apps/software going to
cost you? You should incorporate these
costs into your budget.
• Who else is going to use the
technology? (Parents, teachers, carers,
therapists etc.)
• How will you respond to potential
obsessions with themes/apps?
• How will you move forward should you
not see a positive result?

41. Recommendations
• Have a clear goal in mind
• Create a “policy” for use of the iPad
• Plan around both your goal and policy
• Do your research on what apps are available
• Learn how to manage your apps and
software updates, childproofing options etc.
• Have a plan for how you will respond to
possible misuse and obsessions. Regardless
of whether your child has autism or not,
they will try to push the boundaries!
• Look at what training options are available
• Be aware that this technology may not be
suitable for your child.

42. Our response to this
issue was to create
courses for adults
seeking to implement
the iPad as an
educational tool.

43. We are continually trying to raise
awareness and we are advocating
for more funding to support
autism health, the health of their
families, autism education, and
also support for the
teachers/carers/therapists who
are committed to the wellbeing
and future of children.

44. Autism iPad
Techniques to Bridge
Learning Gaps

45. Strategies for using the
iPad with Students
who have Autism

46. Turn Your iPad into an
Augmentative
Communication Device

47. All children have the right to an education
and educational resources that enable
them to:
1/ Learn how to learn
2/ Have their lessons differentiated and
individualized
3/ Achieve success in their learning,
according to their own individual learning
style.
Introduction to the
iPads for Autism Education
Course Series

48. Children with autism learn differently and it is
the view of many researchers and experts
such as Simon Baron-Cohen (2005) and
Temple Grandin (2010) that autism is not so
much a disease but indeed a difference in
learning styles. There is significant research
that supports the use of technology for
students who are on the Autism Spectrum as
a tool to assist their learning outcomes.
In the past eight years of working with
students with autism I’ve discovered students
who have distinct learning differences, but
despite the difference students can learn.

49. We just have to find the door in to the way
each child's brain works. Technology is a
huge game changer for these students and
it is important that as educators we use
them appropriately. They should not just
be used to 'tame' the student who is
having a meltdown, or as a 'filler' when
students can't keep up with the
'mainstream' work.
When used properly, technology
(specifically the iPad) can bridge the gaps
for the students who have learning
differences; and can be utilized to
differentiate lessons like never before.

50. I hope you have
enjoyed this
presentation.
I look forward to
hearing your
feedback.

51. Please feel free to contact
me should you have any
questions
Karina Barley
karinabarley@gmail.com