Autism and the iPad

So I attended 2 sessions dealing with special needs children and apps to teach all kinds of skills and developmental milestones.

The key thing I took away from it all is to identify 3 or 4 specific goals on the child's IEP and find 4 or 5 really good apps to target those specific goals.

Why is this key?

Well there are just so many apps out there that we can get lost in the apps and lose focus on our actual purpose for the app. It is not all about fun, although the apps do need to be engaging. We as educators have specifically chosen these apps to target very specific goals.

The iPad can change lives! This video is evidence of that.

60 minutes video

Click on the video that has 3 people on a stage and says it is about 12 minutes long. ( sorry I could not figured out how to directly embed the video form my iPad:)). Darn technology!!!

App Happy!

Wow!  Today a colleague of mine stumbled upon a comprehensive list of apps geared for children with asperger's syndrome.  This list looks fantastic for the primary classroom or for any children with special needs.  I LOVE how the list shows a picture of the app, names the app and gives a brief summary of what to expect.  The list is also organized into many sub lists such as writing, reading, games, art, music, communication and so much more.  I think my Christmas holiday will be spent exploring many of these apps!  Check them out too and feel free to leave me a comment about the ones that you think are excellent!

http://www.asperger-manitoba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/iPhone-iPad-and-iPod-touch-Apps-for-Special-Education.pdf