iTherapy–What is it?
Almost everyone with autism will need speech therapy. Among the more traditional methods of speech therapy is an emerging technique I call iTherapy. iTherapy in a nutshell means the use of an Apple product like an iTouch or iPad in combination with an app (computer application) in a therapy environment to meet a goal designed by an IEP team. Whether you are using voice output, building vocabulary, correcting articulation or strengthening muscle coordination, your idevice makes it easier, more fun and reinforcing.
Apps are chosen according to individual needs, in other words, the apps are not driving the education; but each individual’s needs are driving the choice of apps used. In addition, these needs dictate future updates for the apps or drive development of new apps all together. In fact at the time of this print, we are working on one such app.
Careful analysis of prior evaluations assures that every plan that is devised encompasses all personal or academic goals that have been set, whether by a therapist, a group of professionals or family members.
Although the explosion of high tech devices in the education sector is relatively new; the positive results are across the board, and the buzz around campuses is unanimous “these devices facilitate learning by engaging the students in interactive activities.” But no one is more excited about these results than the educators in the special needs sector.
A recent pilot study suggests that through the use of emergent technology (such as the iPad) participating students’ development of new social and academic skills will increase their potential to live healthy, fulfilling and productive lives. In fact, this technology can be used to enhance educational objectives across the school system, but in particular those students with disabilities like autism.
Closer to home I have personally observed students who have never spoken a word are now attempting and in some cases actually saying words while others who only spoke single words are actually saying full sentences.
Up until now the devices being used are Apple products, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, however; that all promises to change in the near future with other manufacturers coming into the tablet arena. Samsung and others are releasing a tablet in the $200-700 range that run on the android operating system. Giving consumers more choices not mention the additional apps that will be available.
