McNair Scholars Research Journal
Abstract
Children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exist in their own world, devoid of interaction or engagement with others (Gilmour, Hill, Place & Skuse, 2004). The iPad Research Initiative, carried out by the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Department of Social Work, assessed the effectiveness of the use of iPads to increase engagement and interaction between children with autism. Parents of children and youth with autism have found this technology to be effective and cost-efficient (Seshadri, 2012). In this research I examined samples from a larger research project to determine if young males between 10 and 12 years old and diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder (AD), engaged more with each other while using an iPad for an activity, than when engaged in a non-iPad activity. The results showed that the iPad is a form of learning technology that promotes positive and effective interaction between children with Asperger’s Disorder.