Destructive but non-communicative : is an iPad a good idea?

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My 1st generation iPad, without the benefit of a protective case, has withstood usage by both of my ASD sons. It's been dropped into the (empty) tub, stood upon by the younger one, and generally treated badly.

And all it's suffered is a small dent in the back, and lots of smeary fingerprints on the screen. Still works perfectly.

This is what I'm purchasing soon, for that same reason. They are good enough for the military, they should be more than good enough for me.

Back on topic: That commando smart phone Casio makes could also be a decent alternative to a portable communication device. It's water-proof, has been ran over with a truck, thrown down and virtually everything else and still works fine.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Those Otterbox cases look like they might fit the bill. Before I commit to paying the $300 for the iPad alone though I'm going to see if I can draw his attention with my Android phone.

I've downloaded the Easy Kids Tokens app to use in place of a PECS token economy system and so far so good. In the past I've used a PECS token economy to give him tokens that build toward a reward.

I've also downloaded the First Then Visual Scheduler app and am still setting up routine flow charts; he uses PECS on a dry erase/velcro board in school and has shown some success with it. I'm mostly doing this so that I can set up some sort of structure so that he can have something to cling to when a meltdown is imminent - such as when he gets off the bus and wants to run directly to the neighbors' yards and into their homes.

I'e also downloaded JABtalk which I'm setting up with preferred items and actions in the hopes that we can give him visual cues to help clarify his verbalizations, FWIW it's not so much that he lacks the verbal skills inasmuch as he needs a way to overcome echolalia and assign meaning to the words he does have. For example, he may request a certain take out restaurant as a food request but not necessarily want what he's asking for. When he asks for "Chick A Way" what he's really asking for is waffle fries from Chick-Fil-A or he'll ask for "McDonald's" but really want chicken nuggets from there. It's just a matter of setting up context, really.

So far he's been showing some interest because of the voice synthesis and tapping the screen but I keep a tight watch on the device. If I can get him to actually use the thing then maybe I can convince the skeptics in his treatment team that he is able to use a tool such as this appropriately - which as I mentioned he already does in school with the PECS system as a visual schedule.

I've heard of some people start by just taking pictures of items. It's pretty easy to learn to swipe through the pictures, and free.

Yes, we tried that but maintaining a flipbook but printing, laminating and then putting a velcro strip on them seemed to be too much work when we considered how quickly they'd get lost or destroyed. Nowadays I just take a picture with my smart phone, though I never had an app to catalog them. JABtalk does a pretty good job of that though it's up to me to figure out how to prioritize them.

My 10 yo boy has a otter box on his iPad and has done pretty good with it. Make sure you buy the screen cover too.
Just so happens we have a tough book also. It is his personal computer and has stood the test. it has a carry handle that makes it easier to carry from room to room. Great computer but I looked the other day and 2 of the letters are gone from the keyboard. Still looking for them.

First post! Usually just a reader. Thought I might could help in this subject.

D

I was going to suggest if you get one to get the otterbox. School gave my daughter an IPad with an Otterbox cover and screen protector.

She is ASD and had 3 younger siblings. So this thing has been abused and not one issue.

When she was little they didn't have Ipads but technology helped her considerably. She would not talk or communicate with me at all but would play leappad games all day long. She learned to read on the computer.