iPads are Bad

Okay, before you think I’m some kind of Luddite, hear me out.

iPads have revolutionized assistive technology for kids on the Autism spectrum. They’ve provided a relatively inexpensive tool for communication, learning and reinforcement. They’ve given kids a voice and they can provide kids with a fun reward for a job well done.

But when it comes to therapists and special educators, you should think twice about using an iPad as a support tool. Here are three things you need to consider:

1. It’s a distraction. Since more and more kids are using iPads as tools and as reinforcers, they will be laser-focused on the iPad as long as it’s in front of them, rather than focusing on their lessons.
2. It’s expensive. New iPads  cost $600 and may require that you purchase a mobile data plan, extending your costs for many months. When you look at multiple iPads across your practice, the costs add up quickly. One of our customers was facing a $30,000 bill for iPads.
3. It’s a costly missile. No matter what case you put on it, the iPad is a fragile device. If it gets wet, it’s gone. If you have an aggressive child, it can quickly become a $600 projectile.

While ABPathfinder’s Therapy Support Software works on iPads and Android tablets, we recognized these issues. So, we shifted our roadmap around and made a mobile interface our top priority.

Now, ABPathfinder is available on any web-enabled device - any smartphone (iPhone, Android, Windows 7), iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, iPad, Android tablet, PC, etc… There’s no need to buy special hardware; just use what you already have. And, smartphones are easy to hide, so it’s not a distraction to the child.

Technology can be a great benefit to your practice. We’re saving customers an average of 50% of their administrative time; time that could be used to reduce costs, spend more time with kids or bring more kids on to your practice. iPads are great tools for kids with Autism, just make sure they’re not creating more of a challenge than they’re worth.