The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Stressed at the thought of using iPads, iPods, and iPhones to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Not to mention the 900,000+ apps, cases, access and more? In this session we’ll work through "issues" leaving participants feeling relaxed and ready to put into place these high tech systems for individuals with ASD. High tech systems such as computers and videos have provided highly motivating and effective ways to facilitate learning and communication for individuals with ASD. With the innovation of iPads, iPods, and iPhones (iTechnology), individuals with ASD have even greater opportunities to improve social, communication, self-regulation, self-help, fine motor, academic, and cognitive skills. iTechnology provides convergent learning for our learners with ASD by giving them access to a variety of learning, personal, and recreational needs via one device. Prior to iTechnology, individuals with ASD often needed access to multiple systems to meet their individual needs, such as portable DVD players for video viewing, MP3 players for music, speech generating devices for communication, self-regulation tools, and various low tech strategies such as visual schedules, social narratives, communication books, graphic organizers, and visual directions, to name a few. 

iTechnology offers portability and flexibility that traditional computer systems cannot provide. iTechnology supports 21^st century learning in that they can go wherever the individual with ASD goes, which means they have ways to calm, focus, and learn anytime – anywhere. As these devices are accessed via TouchScreen technology, this allows access for all age and ability levels, which supports differentiated learning. Most importantly use of iTechnology has improved the independent functioning of many individuals with ASD at home, school, the community, and employment settings.

This fast-paced session will give participants a wealth of information and resources for using iTechnology to meet the learning and behavioral needs of students with ASD, and most importantly, to increase their independent functioning. Hardware, accessories, and access tips and tools for making iTechnology systems user friendly for both children and adults will be shared. Evidence-based practices will be discussed and reviewed utilizing iTechnology. Due to the enormous number of apps available for the iPad, iPod, and iPhone, participants will leave this session with resources for identifying apps to appropriately meet the individual needs of individuals with ASD.

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