Breaking Through: Using Educational Technology for Children with Special Needs

by Barbara Albers Hill

While one-on-one therapy is certainly beneficial, for some children, the process of developing social skills, manual dexterity, and educational competency presents much more of a challenge. Fortunately, the introduction of new and easy-to-use technological devices has created a quiet revolution in the field of special education. It was only a decade ago that the iPad―a portable interactive Internet device―was introduced to the public. Apple’s marketing people correctly predicted the iPad’s popularity, but they did not expect how uniquely appealing this device would be to children with autism, attention issues, physical challenges, and a host of other learning disabilities. Today, numerous tablets offer programs that can break through the barriers caused by psychological and physical challenges. To understand how you can optimize the use of these devices and select the best programs available, best-selling author and special education expert Barbara Albers Hill has written Breaking Using Today’s Tablet Technology with Special Needs Children . The book is divided into two parts. Part One provides the basics of using this new technology. First, it explains the many dimensions available in these machines―animation, color, speech, music, reading, and games. Then, it examines how the interactive nature of these elements combine to capture the attention of children and draw them into any given activity. The book explores a range of individual learning differences―such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, low vision, Down syndrome, language impairment, and traumatic brain injury―and explains which type of programs are best suited for each challenge. Included are tips on adapting the device to a child’s specific condition, as well as practical safety advice. Part One concludes by discussing proven ways in which the programs can be integrated into home and school environments. Part Two provides a consumer’s guide to available devices, attachments and software programs, making the book eminently helpful to both teachers and parents. If used correctly, the tablet is a devise that can help develop new pathways in the brain and facilitate learning, socialization, and motor skills. While we may call it a breakthrough in therapy, you may call it nothing short of a miracle.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2014

About the author

Barbara Albers Hill, who received a BA in Psychology and an MS in Education from Hofstra University, is a resource teacher in grades one through six.

Reviews

[Graham Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any printed technology book becomes outdated the moment it hits shelves. After 11 years, the second half of Breaking Through can be skipped entirely. The rest consist of common-sense ideas to help parents with special needs children research, buy, and use tablets. Many of the tips are helpful, though you will probably find them on countless blogs and other websites today.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lists product recommendations for applications to be used to teach and enhance many different skill areas. Communication, speech, social learning, and fine motor are some of the applications that are featured. A great resource!

[Melissa Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information on special needs.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was dreadfully dry, and contained almost no information that could not be accessed by simply doing a quick Google search.

I read this book for a teacher education class, and am not quite sure why. The audience for this text is definitely parents of children with disabilities who have minimal experience with technology. I would not be likely to recommend this book to a parent of a child with a disability for several reasons, including its lack of meaningful content and its lack of "person first" language. I was frustrated by the number of times that the author says things such as "special needs child," or "ADHD child," referring to the disability first, rather than the child- language that is no longer considered acceptable in the fields of special eduction, social service agencies, and businesses (such as day programs and group homes) that serve individuals with disabilities.

[Pamela Conley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just alright. The content is accurate for as far as it goes but nothing ground breaking or innovative. I think if you aren't an educator with a long history of working with special needs kids and technology or a parent of a special needs child with a history of working with technology this book is probably fabulous but I am both of the above mentioned things and I was sad to say I didn't pick up a single thing I didn't already know.

[Katrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

A quick read and an interesting subject. However, I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. much of it was common sense. I do think that this would be helpful for people who don't have much experience with technology in general.