iPad Application Helps an Autistic Child
By: Stephanie Castillo
Updated: November 22, 2011
ILLINOIS -- iPads have been marketed as reading, web-surfing, and movie viewing devices. But for one family in Illinois it does so much more.
Most little kids love toys, their parents, and games of all kinds. Brandon Helms is one such kid, but unlike most four year olds he has a form of Autism preventing him from speaking.
Now some people may think four years old is too young to already have an iPad. But for Brandon and his family it has become a source of communication. The iPad and its Apps are enabling Brandon's parents to know exactly what their son wants for the very first time in his life. His mother says they're seeing how much pictures help get messages across to him.
Brandon uses pictures on the iPad to tell his parents what he wants. Making every day routines, such as bedtime, less of a hassle. Brandon can point to a picture and knows its time to crawl into bed.
The most important part the iPad apps are helping Brandon feel like he can do anything. Which is a powerful tool for a child, the feeling of being able to communicate to the world around them.
The ultimate goal is for the applications to help Brandon start talking. No one is sure that will happen, but they are seeing the beginnings of him making sounds that are part of words.
And for this family that is something extraordinary.
Most little kids love toys, their parents, and games of all kinds. Brandon Helms is one such kid, but unlike most four year olds he has a form of Autism preventing him from speaking.
Now some people may think four years old is too young to already have an iPad. But for Brandon and his family it has become a source of communication. The iPad and its Apps are enabling Brandon's parents to know exactly what their son wants for the very first time in his life. His mother says they're seeing how much pictures help get messages across to him.
Brandon uses pictures on the iPad to tell his parents what he wants. Making every day routines, such as bedtime, less of a hassle. Brandon can point to a picture and knows its time to crawl into bed.
The most important part the iPad apps are helping Brandon feel like he can do anything. Which is a powerful tool for a child, the feeling of being able to communicate to the world around them.
The ultimate goal is for the applications to help Brandon start talking. No one is sure that will happen, but they are seeing the beginnings of him making sounds that are part of words.
And for this family that is something extraordinary.
