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Tablets Are Game-Changers For Special Needs Kids

theodp writes "The rise of mainstream tablets is proving to have unforeseen benefits for children with speech and communication problems and may disrupt a business where specialized devices can cost thousands of dollars. iPad apps like Proloquo2Go ($189) aim to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, down syndrome, developmental disabilities, ALS, traumatic brain injury, aphasia, apraxia, and more. Even Steve Jobs didn't see this one coming: 'We take no credit for this, and that's not our intention,' said Jobs, who's been touched by email he gets from parents of special needs kids for whom the iPad is proving to be a life-changer. 'Our intention is to say something is going on here,' Jobs added, suggesting that researchers should 'take a look at this.' Even though they might cost significantly less than dedicated devices, SUNY speech pathologist Andrea Abramovich explained Medicare doesn't cover consumer tablets because they could be used for non-medical purposes."

4 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. The OLPC Tablet ROCKS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The new OLPC Tablet will be market changing! It will be everything for everyone and slice bread too! Forget about the iPad or whatever MicroSloth shits out! This thing will be a Socialist panacea for under $100! And Open Source too!

  2. Re:Go Fuck Yourself by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Says the person who posts using a handle rather than their real name.

  3. Re:Icrap is kid friendly by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have a 3 year old who knows half the alphabet, can count to 10

    That's all they'll need for 133tspeak.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  4. Re:The Good and the BAD by robably · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, you got off your high horse and found a giraffe.