iPad AS AN EARLY INTERVENTION TOOL

About Prayas: The inspiration behind the initiative.

Autism Society of India in collaboration with the Spastics Society of Karnataka and
with the financial and technical support of SAP Labs, India, Private Limited,
Bangalore has initiated Project “Prayas”: A Computer/ iPad Training Center for
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorders are very little understood in terms of its etiology,
these are highly heterogeneous in nature. This situation leads us to look at it only
therapeutically.

In the recent past, technology has brought in lots of hope for individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Computers, i-pads, i-phones, i-pods and some other assistive technology based
devices like Alpha Smart, go-talk etc. along with some software, have made life
easier for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families.

These solutions seem to be the non-threatening tools for individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorders; where we need to look at issues related to
“SENSORY- DEFENSIVENESS”, exhibited by them.

These tools, if used meaningfully, through the earlier stages of intervention, help
enhance cognition, communication and thus social skills.

Through these technology based solutions, we can look at various avenues of
employment, these can be related to the Internet based activities, Data- entry,
Validation of Software, Development of Teaching –aids like PECS, Social stories and
development of symbols through appropriate animation software.

Through the project PRAYAS, 90 individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
will be trained in a period of three years, the age group selected for training
is 5- 18 years, the training aims at enhancing their learning, communication
and meaningful occupation by using indigenous technology-based solutions.

This project also aims to empower the parents of enrolled individuals along with
monthly workshops on awareness related to the existing useful technology
based solutions.

Broadly, project PRAYAS is working on the following issues:

Avenues are endless; Awareness is the key to success.
Affordability is a question; Development is the answer.
Accessibility is yet another question; Open- source is the answer.

Our selection of an iPad over other tablets available in the
market

Other manufacturers have realized the accomplishment of this product and have
now put out competing technologies that are, at least initially, being well received.
We hope to one day appraise these models for our audience, but have had minimal
experience at this point, so our first opening into touch tablet technology and those
with an ASD will be geared specifically toward the iPad.

The iPad’s larger screen has made this a particularly useful technology for many of
those with special needs, and most obviously with those with autism. The iPad
screen holds promise for reading, without eye fatigue.

We selected iPad because it has a larger screen with quality visuals and graphics,
its easy availability as a device as well as the apps. We also find that some of the
features are very easy to use and navigate. For many applications we can get instant
feedback and tasks can be repeated to reinforce the concepts.

The skills and knowledge imparted with the help of the iPad

Through this programme, we are trying to establish the pre-requisites for the 3Rs;
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, learn social skills through games by turn taking
and meaningful occupation.
The other part of the programme deals with Computer Training; this will lead to
developing skills related to employment.

The iPad apps: How helpful and why?

Touch screen technology has been around since the early 1970’s. It has evolved
from kiosks in airport terminals to personal digital assistant with styluses. Its
current structure has brought it to the home user in the form of smart phones and
tablets. The most trendy and in style, has been the iPad.

The iPad was first made available for sale in April 2010. We have received 6 iPads
as donations by SAP Labs India Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore in June 2011.

Our experience with iPad usage has been only around six months but we can say it
with lot of confidence that we find iPad apps very useful for the early intervention,
communication for non-verbal ASD individuals and leisure time activities through
various interesting games.

The reasons for stating this are many;

• • Apps cut down on the necessary usage of interfaces like the mouse and the
    key board and coordinating all with monitor which are needed for a task done
    on a computer thus very useful for younger kids. Touch remains the single
    mode of operation.
  • The apps are designed by meaningful sequencing.
  • Chances of task failure are very little.
  • Rewards/reinforcers used are motivating.
  • We get instant feedback and tasks can be repeated to reinforce the
    concepts.

The children who are benefiting from this initiative called Prayas

This programme is exclusively done for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
whose degree of severity varies from very severe, non- verbal to very high
functioning and Aspergers Syndrome.

The response from the children as well as parents

The response has been amazing, right from the sitting tolerance to completing the
task and appreciating their own work has been accomplished by the kids in the first
Batch.

Some parents want to continue in the next batch as they say that their wards have
shown remarkable progress in a short period of 5months.

Our plans to replicate the program in other states

We hope to present a series of iPad workshops and presentations for all of the
various interested parties out there – teachers, special educators, therapists,
administrators, coordinators, social workers, parents, technologists and the
students.

We hope that we can intrigue those who have no experience with this technology
and bring new ideas by using our own culture settings.

We look forward to making this a valuable experience to all and especially those
special students with ASD to show case their abilities.

We do intend to help those individuals with ASD too, who come from a low socioeconomic
strata by making the training free or having them donated an iPad