Medical Reports: iPad Therapy

WSVN -- Some folks wouldn't leave the house without their iPad by their side, to download movies, music and more.

App: "Why is the boy sad?"

Emily Ma, 11 Years Old: "The boy is sick."

But this trendy technical tool isn't just for entertainment.

App: "Tell me what kind of day it is outside."

Emily Ma: "It is a rainy day."

Some speech therapists are now using the iPad to help kids learn language and expand their vocabulary.

Alisa Kruzel, Memorial Speech & Language Pathologist: "It's just made therapy so much more interesting and motivating for the kids."

Eleven-year old Emily Ma has been coming to Memorial Regional's Outpatient Rehab Center since she was little.

She suffers from a disorder that affects her speech.

And since Chinese is her first language, she also needed help with her English.

Siufeng Deng, Emily's Mom: "When she talked, you couldn't really understand, but now, it sounds more clear."

App: "Welcome back to Story Builder."

The Story Builder program allows Emily to create a story in chronological order, while pictures and sounds prompt her to respond in full sentences.

App: "What is the boy doing?"

Emily Ma: "The boy is running."

Alisa Kruzel: "Excellent."

Alisa Kruzel: "It allows us to use a more multi-sensory approach. Having them touch the iPad, it gives them more immediate feedback."

And since it holds a child's attention more than traditional books or flashcards, kids tend to learn faster.

Alisa Kruzel: "I've seen that her sentences have been longer and more complex, a little more detailed."

Therapists say the Story Builder app helps kids develop their vocabulary, identify objects in pictures, increase the length of their sentences and answer questions to short stories.

For Emily, working with the iPad is helping her overcome her speech delay.

App: "Where are the men?"

Emily Ma: "The men are going to the airplane."

Christine Cruz: "Researchers now plan to study whether iPad therapy can help children with autism."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Memorial Regional Hospital Rehabilitation Center
300 Hollywood Way
Hollywood, Florida 33021
Tel: (954) 265-5880
www.mhs.net