Written by Nina Seale    Monday, 23 January 2012 15:18   
Trial of iPad app for children with autism a success
News

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have completed a successful trial of an iPad app designed for children with autism.

‘FindMe’ focuses the player on social interaction while encouraging them to consider other people’s needs, and developers are hoping that the touchscreen technology will make the app more accessible to younger users.

Dr Sue Fletcher-Watson, a psychologist from the University of Edinburgh who led the app’s creation, said, “Children with autism are often adept with computers. Thanks to the iPad’s touchscreen we can now create games for very young children with autism, when it may benefit them most.

“We hope our app will be helpful to both children with autism and their families.”

Sam Rospigliosi, the parent of one of the children who participated in the trial, said she was pleased with her daughter Veronica’s progress. She said, “[Veronica] has gone from being a little girl who had no way of showing us how much she knew, to a little girl who now has a portable device she can laugh, play and engage with.”