When my husbands work offered him a one time deal on an Ipad, we jumped on it. I'll admit, there is not a person in my household that is not a new technology freak. The sole purpose for this Ipad was to get one (hahaha!) application which was a communication app. for my son to use. Although he has some emerging language and his vocabulary is increasing, it is increasing at a rate that we cannot keep up with and it is not clear. He has much difficulty with a lot of consonants making it impossible for anyone not around him 24/7 to understand. Well, several apps later we have found that it not only helps him to get his words out, we started getting a really good idea of what he does and does not know academically. We also found out a few things that his therapists were unaware that he can do if it is presented to him via the correct app. If Apple only new the good news I have spread about their product I would be on the payroll. I mean, holy cow. He IS there. The Ipad confirmed what I had always suspected. He hears and understands everything we say. Even if he is not looking at us. He has learned everything he has been taught at school in the past two years. He has a slight delay in responding to a question and you cannot ask those questions back to back.
It occurred to me that maybe what we need to do is give these kids the right tools to communicate with. How much frustration on the parents and child's part might that cut down on? How many meltdowns might it prevent when the child can get his feelings out and needs met right away? In my sons case and others with processing delays, we need to be better at recognizing that there is a delay and know the right way to ask the child a question. When I pick my son up from school each day I usually arrive a little early, in time to see the other kids for a little before they leave. I haven't seen one of those kids on the spectrum that didn't look as if they had something to say at one point or another. I know my son does.
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