iPads and apps have been shown to help address the needs of children with autism by providing visual supports, social tools, easy-to-use interfaces, and more. Studies have found benefits for children with autism using iPads and apps. While an organization granted iPads to over 800 families, there was high demand from more families. Libraries can help fill this need by offering apps for use in the library, providing curated app recommendations for parents, and incorporating apps into programming for children with autism.

1. iPads,
Apps
and
Kids
with
Autism
Barbara
Klipper
Barbaraklipper.librarian@gmail.com
ALA
Annual
2014,
Las
Vegas

2. A
little
about
Kids
with
Autism:

3.
1. Visuals
2. Social
supports
3. Speech-­‐generating
4. Child-­‐specific
5. Consistent
6. Sensory-­‐friendly
7. Ease
of
use
iPads
and
apps
address
all
of
these
aspects
of
autism
(and
more):

4.
1.
2010
University
of
Toronto
case
study
2.
2013
Autism
Speaks-­‐funded
study
(at
Vanderbilt,
UCLA
and
Johns
Hopkins)
3.
LSTA-­‐funded
study
conducted
by
librarian
Amy
Price
at
Oakstone
Academy
in
Ohio
Studies
have
proven
the
benefits:

5. But…
Many
families
want
one:

6. For
example:
Autism
Cares
2012
iPad
Grants
Gave
831
iPads
to
families
around
the
country
But,
they
received
over
applications
One
Solution
iPad
giveaway
programs:

7. Leila
and
Owen
with
their
iPads:

8.
They
have
libraries
(hopefully)
What
have
libraries
done
and
what
can
they
do??
What
about
the
other
9,169
children??

9. For
example:
The
Ferguson
Library,
Stamford,
CT
“Closing
the
App
Gap”
grant
Offer
apps
at
the
library:

10.
http://www.farmingdalelibrary.org/
appsforautismbrochure.pdf
Farmingdale,
NY
http://www.bedfordlibrary.net/collections/
ipad.pdf
Bedford,
MA
Provide
annotated
lists
of
apps:

11. Include
criteria
for
selecting
autism-­‐appropriate
apps
http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/
article/
apps-­‐and-­‐autism
Write
a
informational
brochure
for
parents:

12. Host
a
parent
training
program:
• Introduce
iPad
Features
• Demo
cool
apps

13. For
example:
Digital
Sensory
Storytime
Use
apps
in
kids’
programming:

14.
Why
Use
eBooks?

15.
Ruby
Cube
apps
http://rubycubeapps.com/demo.html
Put
it
Away
http://put-­‐it-­‐away.leehsueh.com
A
couple
of
interesting
apps
for
older
kids
with
autism:

16. Thanks,
Tess!!!
I’m
sorry
that
my
Caldecott
commitment
kept
me
from
being
with
you
all
this
morning.
Please
contact
me
with
questions:
barbaraklipper.librarian@gmail.com
Barbara Klipper

17. Want
More
About
Autism?
Look
for
Barbara’s
book.
Available
here
at
the
ALA
Store.