http://goo.gl/cgfTWm
My son Leo got his first iPad in May 2010, when he was ten years old. And, as it did for many other autistic people, the tablet transformed his learning and play experiences. In unprecedented ways. He continues to rock that iPad, ever since.
My understanding of why Leo and iPads are so suited for each other has evolved over those five years. I now understand that it isn’t just his iPad’s icon- rather than text-based interface that makes it Leo-friendly; it’s also its simplified, consistent grid app layout, which allows Leo to rely on motor planning as well as visuals. That motor predictability is a crucial factor for an autistic dude whose body doesn’t always do what he wants it to do.
And iPads don’t just allow Leo to make his own choices; they allow him to make choices at his own pace.