iPads for Autism

iPad for autism; communication, learning and creativity at the tip of the fingers

ATT has received a donation from the Big Lottery to purchase 4 iPads. We intend to lend these to our families for a period of 3 months with some initial guidance on how to assist the child to maximise the use of the device, based on his or her communication and learning needs. Below is more information about what can be achieved with this totally revolutionary technology. It’s a very exciting and important development for autism.

The iPad is a relatively recent technological development that offers great potential for people with autism. This computer interface can improve the efficacy of language instruction and augment the communication skills of people with autism, even those with severely impaired speech. In this respect the iPad offers far more possibilities than most Augmentative Communication Device or techniques developed so far. It allows a person to communicate for example, with pictures, avoiding the troublesome search through numerous pictures to select one to convey a specific meaning (e.g. iCommunicate, iConverse, ProLoquo2Go). The meaning of the pictures can be read out loud, even with a pre-recorded culturally compatible accent (e.g. See Touch Learn). This method of communication can be taken anywhere. It can also assist with the formation of sentences, not solely from a grammatical and vocabulary view point, but also with a semantic support, assisting in linking a sentence to its meaning with supporting pictures (see links below for a range of applications).

The iPad can also provide entertaining means to teach almost any skills, ranging from literacy (ABC Writing, Montessori Crosswords, Making Sentences, Trace Right!), and numeracy (Intro to Math, Montessory, FlashToPass Free, Kids Math, etc covering the full curriculum), to decision making (e.g. Choice Board Creator), sequencing (e.g. Zorten.com/Making sequences), short-term memory, planning, which are all beneficial and complementary skills also commonly affected in autism.

An iPad also provides effective means to teach appropriate behaviour in a given situation, for example through video modelling, or social story (e.g. Story builder). It also assists creativity, for example making collages (Mixel Application), editing photos or videos (8mm Miniatures, Vimeo App), making music (e.g. Dropophone and Drums Applications), or drawing (Inkpad, SplatterHD, Zen Brush, Doodle Buddy).

The iPad is particularly effective because of the use of concrete visual information of a highly motivating and stimulating nature, with reduction of distracting information. It is socially appropriate and can be seen as being an asset to a person, rather than other forms to assistance typically used by disabled people with associated stigmatisation. Complex aspects of language can be addressed in a logical and structured manner and taught effectively by progressively addressing more and more complex skills, with prompting strategies in place if required and clear rewarding outcomes upon completion of an activity. The device also requires minimal motor skills, which can also be affected by autism. Furthermore, it is possible to use this device to monitor performance, communicate the outcome of an activity to any party over the Internet, and some independent schools have started to use the ipad as a base upon which an entire curriculum can be built (e.g. Cedar Academy in Greenock).

Autism Treatment Trust is in a position to lend to families some iPads with a range of selected autism applications and to demonstrate with the children how the device can be used. It is hoped that this assistance will provide further opportunities for families and individuals with autism to potentially benefit from such a device. Ideally, the device should be made available to all individuals with an ASD, with some initial support on how to maximise its use.

References:

The iPad, a useful tool for autism. 2020.

For more Applications, use the Autism Apps to search through a wide range of applications with direct applications to autism.

Read More

Autism Diagnosis Services

Assistance towards accessing a diagnosis service

With the generous support from the Brian Souter Foundation, ATT is now in a position to assist Scottish families by providing a fast track to a diagnosis service. With the large increase in children affected by this condition, families have struggled to get access to diagnosis, with a long waiting list causing further distress and frustration and delaying early intervention. The diagnosis service we provide includes the standardised assessments used for making an autism diagnosis, namely, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R), and is complemented by other cognitive and developmental assessments. These include assessments of non-verbal intelligence, language comprehension, expressive communication, attention, behaviour, “autism level”, and overall neurological development across domains. These complementary assessments are beneficial because they assist in assessing the children comprehensively, guiding further intervention and providing a measure of progress throughout an intervention programme.

The latest statistics for schools in Scotland compendium (Dec. 2010) indicates that 1:104 Scottish children are currently diagnosed with ASD, although head teachers and teachers have reported the figure to be higher due to short fall in diagnosis services. There is a further 1:30 child known to have a speech and communication condition, or social, emotional and behavioural problems, with the strong likelihood that some of these children in fact present with ASD. In total, 1 child in 24 is affected with related developmental and behavioural problems. At the moment, there are no indications of any reduction in the number of affected children. It is generally accepted that the rise in diagnosis is due to a combination of genetic susceptibility and exposure to environment triggers. However no causal agents have yet been identified.

These figures are matched by others conducted elsewhere in the UK. The current UK rate is 1 in 66 children aged 5-11. Evidence of geographical disparity is dramatically illustrated by the recorded rate of ASD in the Orkney Islands. The audit of services for people with ASD identified 91 children with ASD resident in Orkney NHS catchment area, making this the highest rate of autism in Scotland and in the UK, with 1 child in 44 being affected.

The majority of studies suggest a typical male:female diagnostic ratio of 3-4:1, with very few of the girls diagnosed being of the high functioning type. Yet recent publications suggest that women and girls are particularly under-diagnosed because of the relative subtlety of their presentation. This is an observation we have also made with an increasing number of young adult women coming forward seeking help in understanding the nature of their social and developmental difficulties. These young women have essentially fallen through the net of the diagnosis service, because their presentation is not typical of that of high functioning autism in boys. Commonly these women have been diagnosed with an eating disorder when the core of their difficulties is in fact ASD.

Early intensive behavioural interventions have helped many ASD children to acquire the core skills they are lacking and enable them to integrate successfully into the mainstream school system. The lifetime cost of autism has been estimated to exceed £2.4 million per individual.

Based on the above findings Scotland faces a lifetime care bill of between £40.2bn (Scottish figures) and £175bn (if the English prevalence is accepted as a more accurate figure for Scotland).

‘The age of autism’ presents an enormous challenge and ATT is at the forefront of organisations trying to find ways of improving the life and prospects for people with autism.

ATT Donors

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS IN 2020

We would like to take the time to thank our donors from this past year! We cannot thank the following individuals enough for their generous support of our clinic. Each donation greatly helps in enabling our team to have a huge impact in our children with ASD and their families

Our work is only possible through the support of all our donors and fundraisers – thank you.

We would like to specially thank Caudwell Children for their invaluable and constant support to our charity.

Mr. Kevan McDonald & Family. This ongoing donation and generous support makes our work possible.

Garfield Weston Foundation. A most generous donation that will make a huge impact in the training of health professionals by the Autism Treatment Trust

The Brian Souter Foundation. This contribution will help low income Scottish families with funds for assessments and diagnosis.

Awards for All. This contribution will provide a few children with the opportunity to learn new educational and communication skills in the clinic and at home.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Manufacturing Technology Services Edinburgh Charities Committee. Donation proposed by Mr. Emlyn Williams will go towards the ongoing work of the charity

George Herriot School in Edinburgh. A most welcomed donation by a dedicated group of pupils concerned about autism in Scotland

Agilent Technologies UK Ltd. This generous contribution goes to the improving of services by the charity.

Edinburgh Students Charities Appeal – Meadows Marathon. We thank to all the participants for their support and donation.

Mr. Michael Whitworth & Family. This dedicated donation helps us to continue with our work.

Mrs. Alison Ritchie and Mr. Malcolm Comerford funds donated by a sponsored walk up the Pentland Hills. We thank to all the participants.

Mr. & Mrs. Bailey. Thank you so much for your donation and generous encouragement.

Mr. & Mrs. Tollin & Family. We are grateful for their ongoing support and dedication to ATT.

We would like to thank all the families with the Autism Treatment Trust for their wonderful testimonials and generous support.