Students with autism and other disabilities at the Beverley School in Toronto have begun using the iPod Touch instead of picture exchange communication system (PECS) notebooks. There have been a number of apps developed for the iPod Touch that act as assistive communication for people who are non-verbal. One young girl, Emily Buzcek, uses the iPod Touch app, iConverse, to let her mother know which stores she would like to visit. Rhonda McEwen, a professor at the University of Toronto, is in the classroom with the teachers and kids to see how devices like the iPod Touch can help children communicate. Also, there is the “cool” factor. One teacher explains, “Whether they’re using an iDevice for scheduling, learning or easing anxiety, the key is that they blend in with other kids.” Teachers, students, and parents are looking forward to getting the iPad into classrooms. Children with motor skill difficulties and visual issues will be able to work better with the larger screen.
Read original article: For Autistic Kids, iDevices Are Life Changers
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