[Author]
[University]
Summary
In the study of Murdock, Ganz & Crittendon (2013) entitled “Use of an iPad Play Story to Increase Play Dialogue of Pre-schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),” it analysed the cases of four children who have undergone a specific test using an iPad Play Story. The four children namely Bradley, Jacob, Andrew and Joe were all diagnosed of having an ASD and were all enrolled in an inclusive pre-school program. The study aims to find out if the children with ASD will have a development in communication after undergoing an intervention which is an interaction through the iPad Play Story session. In the said session, the facilitator makes a scene and encourages the child to interact for each dialogue through visuals and audio. In the iPad Play Story, the scenes are based on common occurrence in the peoples’ daily lives.
The study concluded that after the sessions with the children, there are significant changes observed among the three. It was observed that the technology can be used to stimulate the communication skills development of children with ASD. Also, schools with inclusive programs stated that they can easily use the technology as an intervention. However, the study cannot generalize the sample is too small. The writers recommended for a massive and thorough study to be a basis for its institutionalization.
Critique
The study may have a good impact on the communication skills of the children with ASD, but it is more important for education institutions to invest their time and resources on physical interventions. It is true that technology today knows no bounds but there is no effective intervention towards developing children’s social skills other than an interactive and friendly environment. It is an environment that the educator facilitates with the help of the regular students and also the students with ASD and other disabilities. If there is a healthy communication inside the classroom, the children with ASD will not be left behind. Eventually, they will learn naturally from their seatmates, teacher and friends.
On the other hand, I think the article is not palatable to people without background to education or psychology. If it can be written in a simpler manner, it can be very useful for parents who are willing to undergo such intervention. If both parents are working, this intervention can help to substitute the lack of interaction at home. However, there should also be a parents’ workshop on how to limit the use of the Play Story to avoid trapping the child in the virtual communication.
References
Murdock, L.C., Ganz, J., & Crittendon, J. (2013). Use of an iPad Play Dialogue of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10803-013-1770-6#page-2
Communication Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. (2012). National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/communication-problems-in-children-with autism-spectrum-disorder.aspx
