Mitch's and Liam's stories

Liam and Mitch are 2 young boys who used iPads in the AEIOU Foundation's specialised early intervention program in 2011.

The tablet PCs were used in the program as part of a research trial with Griffith University about using the devices to support children with autism achieving individual education plan outcomes.

The boys' mums, Shelley and Yvonne, spoke to Disability Online about Mitch's and Liam's experiences with using the tablet PCs as an assistive technology device.

Mitch's story

Shelley and Mitch Myerson.

Mitch, 6, was born with a virus that affected his brain development. He has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy, and has very limited communication. Mitch also has a hearing impairment, and has received bilateral cochlear implants from the Hear and Say Centre in Brisbane.

Mitch began using a tablet PC—an iPad—at lessons he was attending as part of the AEIOU Foundation's early intervention program.

Mitch's mum, Shelley, had concerns about buying him his own tablet PC for use in a home environment.

‘I've refrained from it from a parental point of view,' she says.

‘I was scared he wouldn't communicate with me if he had it.'

Mitch has now started school, after graduating from the early intervention program. He is continuing to use a tablet PC in this learning environment.

‘He has to have the iPad in his day,' says Shelley.

‘He uses it for phonics, and his home readers are being put on the iPad.'

Mitch, Shelley says, is a visual learner. She has used visual cues to help him with preparing for activities before, like going to the shops.

As he has had success with the device, Shelley is now considering purchasing a tablet PC for her son to use at home.

However, she is focused on setting healthy boundaries for him—just like with any other technology.

‘Getting him off the iPad is a drawback,' says Shelley.

‘It is every parent's hardest choice. If I take him off it, it is going to end up in a tantrum.'

Using a timer; and showing her son apps (rather than giving him the device) if appropriate—as well as making sure he has ‘enough time' to use the technology—are some of the guidelines Shelley is planning to introduce if the family does decide to buy a tablet PC.

Liam's story

Liam, 5, has autism, as well as dyspraxia, a developmental disability that affects his fine and gross motor skills.

As a student in the AEIOU Foundation's early intervention program last year, Liam began using a tablet PC—an iPad—and participated in the research trial with Griffith University.

Yvonne, Liam's mum, bought him a tablet PC last year. The device has been used as a support tool for him with speech therapy and occupational therapy. Yvonne also uses the device to do ‘instant reward' activities with Liam.

‘We do physiotherapy for 20 minutes before school with Liam, and if he does well he gets to listen to a song off YouTube,' she says.

Yvonne has integrated the device with other learning tools. Liam sometimes uses a stylus on his tablet PC, for example—instead of a pencil and paper—to practise his writing skills.

‘It breaks it up for him and keeps him motivated,' says Yvonne.

She agrees with Shelley, Mitch's mum, about the importance of setting healthy boundaries with the use of any technology.

‘You need to sit down and come up with a plan before you introduce the iPad (or another tablet PC) to your family,' she says.

‘I haven't turned the iPad into a gaming device—that is one of the key things I would tell parents if they want to use the iPad as a therapy tool. However, it is different for every family.'