Autism and iPad Technology    

September 25, 2018 

Melissa Thomson, Amanda Kuiper, Nicole Bajcar, Kelsey Davies  
 
Introduction 
As we become more technologically advanced the world   
of communication, education and social interactions 
have advanced with it. For individuals with autism, these   
technologies meant that they could connect with others 
and learn in ways that, at one time, were never thought   
possible. With the emergence of the iPad those 
advances went one step farther. It meant that   
individuals with ASD would now be able to download 
applications that fit their personal needs, while also  Applications on iPad 
having a device that was easily portable and could be  Before having a child use an iPad, they must learn how 
used in daily life.   to use it.  
1. Model to child how to use an iPad 
 
2. Reward an individual for using the iPad correctly 
Historical Perspective/Future Research 
3. Reward the child when they use iPad 
-Browning, Nave, White, & Barkin (1985) used video 
independently 
based instruction (computer applications) to work on 
With so many new applications being uploaded to the 
life enhancements skills to children with physical and 
Apple Store it can be difficult to understand which ones 
cognitive disabilities (Ayres & Langone, 2008).  
are worth the money. 
-Haring et al (1987) conducted a study where they 
● Proloquo2Go:​ this application helps those with a 
taught students with autism using video tapes to locate 
difficulty or an inability to speak learn to 
items in a grocery store. They would measure the ability 
construct sentences with pictures.  
to generalize to their community grocery stores (Ayres 
● My Routine:​ A visual schedule planner using 
& Langone, 2008). 
either stock photos or your own photos. Can 
-All studies realized that to have the best results, a 
help children with autism understand what their 
mixture between instruction in the community and video 
day entails. It can add structure to their day and 
training was necessary.  
can give a sense of security and control 
   
Advantages   Disadvantages 
Communication  Technology Addiction 
-Apps give people with ASD the ability to communicate 
in ways that were once impossible  -For individuals who struggle with interactions in social 
-Can make it possible to develop social skills and create  situations iPads can be an easy out to gain the same 
relationships  feeling without having to actually interact 
-Communication apps can increase peer acceptance  -Children should only be getting approximately 1-2 
Learning  hours of screen time per day. Getting more than this 
-According to Temple Grandin, people with ASD are  can cause a reduction in melatonin production, causing 
visual thinkers  a child to get less sleep 
-Having applications that use pictures to explain 
Cost/Funding 
different topics and ideas can help individuals with ASD 
grasp ideas easier  -The cheapest ipad costs around $500 
Challenging Behaviours  -There can be immense difficulty in gaining support and 
-Many children enjoy using technology, having a ipad as  funds to pay for an ipad 
a reward for doing something correctly can help with  -Without funding a child may lose their opportunity to 
positive reinforcement for good behaviours  communicate effectively 
 
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Efficacy across a lifespan 
Children 
- Effectiveness of iPad apps for children with 
What We’ve Learned 
Overall, we learned that the technology of using apps on 
ASD = decrease challenging behaviour and 
increase number skills, pretend play and picture  an iPad can be extremely advantageous for individuals 
naming (Allen et al. 2015).   of multiple ages who have been diagnosed with ASD. 
- Useful to teach communication skills, especially  This technology is effective for improving social 
at young age   communication, teaching crucial school skills, and 
Adolescents  reducing challenging behaviours. Although there are 
- O’Malley and colleagues (2014): observed the  some disadvantages, such as cost, and a lack of 
effects of providing iPads to students with  research on adults and iPad use, professionals in this 
autism spectrum disorder to increase ability to 
field should feel confident implementing this technology 
independently complete tasks and improve 
into their program plans for individuals with ASD. 
basic math skills 
- Students demonstrated greater ability to 
independently complete tasks and improved or 
maintained their performance in math 
Young Adults 
- Burkley and colleagues (2015): observed how 
using an iPad app assisted an 18 year old 
female with ASD and a developing shopping 
skills  
- using visual cues and prompting, subject’s 
ability to independently shop in various locations 
increased and became stable 
Adult  
- Gentry and colleagues (2015): the use of a 
personal digital assistant (apple iPod touch), for 
adults with ASD to improve work performance 
and reduce support needs 
- PDA technology = reduced the need for a 
support work or job coach but did not affect 
vocational performance  
- Lack of research examining iPad technology and 
adults with ASD