C
hildren of the 21
st
century
are digital natives who
comfortably inhabit a
world of technologically
assisted entertainment, education
and communication. Candy Crush,
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp,
Fruit Ninja, Minecraft, Angry
Birds, YouTube, SMART Boards,
PowerPoint… these, and many, many
more are all part of being a child of
our time. But while many parents feel
that the all-pervasive reach of the
digital age can be a negative force to
be reckoned with, and that screen time
should be strictly limited, for many
children with a variety of different
needs, technological advances have
been a force for good, and screen time
something to be positively encouraged.
Over the past few years, a vast
array of new technologies and apps
have been developed to help children
with a range of challenges, such as
communication difficulties, visual and
hearing impairments, and learning
and behavioural issues. Many of these
apps and technological advances are
accessed via smartphones and tablets,
making them more accessible than
ever. For these children and their
families, carers, teachers and friends,
many of these new products and
software have been screen saviours.
Make yourself heard
We all want to be understood, so
the isolation and frustration felt by
a child who is unable to speak to
those around him must be immense.
But in recent years, a range of new
software has been developed to help
bridge this communication gap.
Many children use ‘alternative and
augmentative communication’ (AAC)
aids such as Proloquo2Go, PicSmart,
ChatAble and Predictable, which are
downloaded onto a compatible device
Recent advances in technology have opened up a whole
new world for many children, writes
Rachel Kenney.
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