Aspies and smartphones

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I havent yet owned a smartphone and im considering getting one. Im struggling to justify parting with 50+ of my ££,s for it however. As a potential aspie is it worth getting a smartphone, as in would it improve your quality of life.

I don't know if that has anything to do with autism. Do you think a smartphone would be useful or pleasant to you? Does it justify the cost?

Personally I love having access to any kind of information at any time. Also it allows me to access things like maps and transportation information, which often help me make backup plans and relieve anxiety if I have some unpleasant unexpected change to how I had expected things to go. I do have some anxiety with the telephone, but it is related to receiving calls or texts at any time, having a smart or dumb phone doesn't change anything about that (if anything a smartphone gives me more control on how I receive and process information). So for me it is beneficial.

I'd say it is worth having a smartphone. As ouroborosUK said, being able to access maps and transport info is invaluable when you're faced with unforeseen issues like travel delays. I'm very loyal to the iPhone although I recognise that the cost of that and other Apple products may be prohibitive. If you have the money though, that's definitely the one to get.

Absolutely worth it in my opinion. I don't think I could survive without mine now. Just a warning though, once you get one there is no going back.

Pros:
1) earphones. People leave you alone when you've ear buds in.
2) Affect environment via replacing random, harsh sounds & noise with preferred music
(both accomplishable with a small music player)
3) Your music & your phone are the same, single device
4) Info at your fingertips (as mentioned previously)
5) Small, portable gaming computer (if you use video games for tuning-out/recovery)

Cons:
1) cost (divide the price by 36 or 48, that's your monthly cost over 3 or 4 years)
2) typically a higher phone bill (don't forget all your taxes and fees go up, too, as the base cost of the plan increases)

You should get one. It's certainly very useful and fun. And I believe it will improve your quality of life. For example, when I'm bored on the train or something, I can just take the phone out and read and post on WP from the phone.

I bought my iPhone 5S late last year. It was the first time I've had an Apple product. It's pretty good. Some people say iPhone's screen is a bit too small. Samsung and Sony have phones with bigger screens. I personally think they are a bit too big in my pocket.

If you are worried about the cost, maybe you could go for a bit older models. They are still pretty useful and cost less.

Hi Binaryodes,

Yes, a smartphone can help you in lots of ways.

1. Research anything you like, wherever you are. The sum total of human knowledge is available to you 24/7.
2. Maps. The other day I needed to find somewhere to eat with my son, so I asked my phone to "show me restaurants near here", and it did, a big list of them, with directions and reviews.
3. Executive functioning. You can set up reminders just by talking, e.g. “wake me up at 7”, or “remind me to call my dad when I get home”
4. Calendar. I always know where I’m supposed to be, my phone tells me in the morning.
5. Lists. I keep to do lists synchronised between my phone and my laptop. I can see what needs doing on each of my projects.

There are 4 devices on the market you should consider at the moment, in descending order of price:

1. IPhone 5S - arguably the nicest, easily the most expensive.
2. iPhone 5C - Made of coloured plastic. Still great. My wife's phone.
3. Nexus 5 - The Google phone, awesome piece of tech. My next phone.
4. Moto G - Google bought Motorola and tasked them with bringing out the best budget smartphone. This is it.

Reject all other devices if you want to be happy. iPhones are a bit nicer, but if you’re on a budget, get a Moto G, sim only, it’s the best budget smartphone currently available by a considerable margin, and your contract will be cheap as chips.

(Special interest in mobile technology )

myPad and myPhone have really enhanced my life. they allow me to easily communicate with my family, which before i had a really hard time letting out my feelings.

the calendars and reminders are great too for my short-term memory problems.

I tried using a smartphone and I didn't like it. I like a phone to be just a phone with actual buttons on it, and no touch screen. Using a small touch screen to do things I would normally do on a desktop computer is extremely frustrating. The only thing I like a smartphone for is to play games.

It has allowed me to waste even more of my life in pointless games. Hooray for Finger Bowling!

I'm a compulsive fact-finder/seeker/checker, so I can't imagine my life without it. I didn't think I would like/need that much constant access to info, but it has improved my life immeasurably.

As far as aspie-related stuff: I don't know if there's anything specific to spectrum stuff that it improves. If, however, you are the forgetful type and/or have executive functioning concerns, you can set regular daily reminders to complete necessary tasks. That I find helpful!

If you have OCD, a smartphone can become an amazing OCD outlet. Checking email 100 times, checking the weather, watching YouTube videos on autism, and so on. Just make certain that you have a WiFi connection so that you don't use too much 4G network time, which could make your bill astronomical. Always use WiFi when possible.

Negatives for me.
1. Always connected 24/7 if I get addicted and I will.
2. One more task to multitasking.
3. Easy to lose due to my poor motor coordination and multitasking.
4. Small, hard to read at my age.

I have never even a basic cell phone, never mind a smartphone. I get criticized and looks of disbelief about my lack of cell phone than my "autistic" traits.

I was the same way until I got mine. I use it as a planner - very needed - and a communication aid, since I cannot verbally do so. I have nice clear pictures I can use to train workmates and can pull up Video files. I don't do Facebook or any chit chat stuff, but what I use it for made it worth the cost.