Apple Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month With Two New Videos

[MacRumors]

Earlier this morning, Apple posted a pair of videos onto its YouTube channel to join in on celebrating Autism Acceptance Month. The videos - titled "Dillan's Voice" and "Dillan's Path" - show how the company's technology, namely the iPad, has helped a young man with autism navigate a world that doesn't fully understand what he's going through.

Dillan narrates the first video, Dillan's Voice, using the help of an assistive communication app on the iPad. He mentions that most of his life it was impossible to convey what he felt to people around him, but with the help of the iPad he can finally speak and have conversations with his friends and family.

So many people can't understand that I have a mind. All they can see is a person who is not in control. But now you can hear me. The iPad helps me to see not only my words but to hold onto my thoughts. Having a voice has changed everything in my life. No more isolation. I can finally speak with the people that love me. I can say what I think and let them know I love them too.

Dillan's mom Tami, and his therapist Deborah Spengler, provide some background into Dillan's past in the second video. Dillan was born in 1999 and Tami mentions that what the iPad has done for her son is "just the most incredible thing ever, to suddenly start to hear your child's voice." Before he could use the iPad to type, Dillan describes "a lonely existence" where he had to create relationships with his various toy animals since he couldn't communicate with his family.

Apple has been known as a big proponent for first-party accessibility features on its devices, as well as encouraging the development of third-party apps that facilitate educational experiences for users with vision, hearing, physical, or learning impairments. Many of its award-winning efforts have yielded results such as bringing gaming to the blind on iOS, and even various assistive technologies like VoiceOver and haptic feedback on the Apple Watch.

Apple has also launched a section of the app store, called Voices of Autism, inspired by Dillan's story. There users can download educational and every-day apps, helpful books, and listen to podcasts about "real-life stories" from people living with autism.

More can be discovered about Apple's extensive accessibility features on the company's website.

Article Link: Apple Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month With Two New Videos

 

[Kaibelf]

I wonder how long until someone complains that it's a live person instead of a silhouette and that Dillan isn't carrying a hammer when he's running.

 

[myrtlebee]

Very touching. So glad he was born in a time that this is possible.

 

[CFreymarc]

Autism is a total misunderstanding of human evolution. Many say it is not a "problem" but in fact an advancement of humanity where mechanical, optic and acoustic communication between bodies are transcended by something much more efficient.

Large groups of so called autistic people are incredibility efficient communicating with each other by other means. However, the "muggles" cannot tune-in this way. They fell left out and label those more efficient as "deficient" since they are passed. Anyone exceeding at a competition seeing the crowd trying to hold you back knows exactly what I'm talking about.

 

[Elijen]

So how does iPad actually helps? How is this different to writing or typing on a typewriter. I also form words from letters, and sentences from words while typing or speaking.

 

[jhts]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/fashion/how-apples-siri-became-one-autistic-boys-bff.html?_r=0

This article is also worth a read. Don't let the "bff" in the URL put you off, either.

 

[OneMike]

This is great. I'm so glad we live in a world where technology has advanced to the point people in such positions can get help.

 

[Atreyu25]

As a parent of an autistic child, I am so proud of Apple and the tech community for caring to give voice to those that need help.

 

[OneMike]

So how does iPad actually helps? How is this different to writing or typing on a typewriter. I also form words from letters, and sentences from words while typing or speaking.

Look layers deeper. There is software therapists and parents use to help get the kids to that point. Look beyond the result and think how the person got there. Therapists and parents use specific software to help build these skills. This has been going on for several years.

 

[Attirex]

MR forums turns this into another Tim Cook fail in 3..2..1...

 

[Mike MA]

I wonder how long until someone complains that it's a live person instead of a silhouette and that Dillan isn't carrying a hammer when he's running.

I guess nobody will conplain to be honest.

 

[japanime]

These are very interesting videos. I hope they are just the first in a planned series, with many more to come. It would also be great to see a "making of" video from Apple, similar to those that the company has done for other ad campaigns.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My 14 year old daughter loves her iPad. She has higher functioning Autism (asperges), but as she doesn't like going out, often spends hours on her iPad, drawing and playing games.

 

[Bubba Satori]

MR forums turns this into another Tim Cook fail in 3..2..1...

You're the first to bring it up if that's any consolation.

 

[macduke]

It's stuff like this that will keep me supporting Apple, even when they have missteps. Unlike many other corporations of their size, I feel like they actually have a heart. And that's something that I think Cook has developed to become a bigger part of their culture. My wife worked with children with autism and their parents for seven years before she decided to open her daycare when our daughter was born. The power of technology to transform their lives is simply incredible. So many people want to put them in a box and say that they're a burden, so it's great that Apple is showing how they're still people inside who have their own hopes and dreams and personality.

 

[Junior117]

As someone who also has Autism, I fully support Apple with showcasing this young man's story.

You might think that I have more to say (and I do), but I don't think most would read it so I'll just end it here.

 

[jonnysods]

This is so cool.

 

[deany]

I'm very moved by this video and its great to see technology being used in such a powerful way. Very impressive.
The iPad has helped Dillon beyond comprehension, but what about other autistic children who would benefit from an iPad and the apps required?
I really hope Tim & the team donates iPads to poorer families & carers who have autistic registered children & adults.

 

[Apple fanboy]

As someone who also has Autism, I fully support Apple with showcasing this young man's story.

You might think that I have more to say (and I do), but I don't think most would read it so I'll just end it here.

Feel free. We have a number of autistic members here.

 

[Kabeyun]

So how does iPad actually helps? How is this different to writing or typing on a typewriter. I also form words from letters, and sentences from words while typing or speaking.

Besides the therapeutic angle of many apps, a typewriter can't talk.

And thank you MR community for not (really) going negative (yet).

 

[iapplelove]

The autism rate over the last few years has spiked drastically. I'm still convinced the cause is something that's being kept from the public.

Would be nice to see apple spend some money on research towards those answers.

 

[Appl3FTW]

Dang I cried, faith in humanity restored.

 

[Apple fanboy]

The autism rate over the last few years has spiked drastically. I'm still convinced the cause is something that's being kept from the public.

Would be nice to see apple spend some money on research towards those answers.

Better awareness and diagnosis perhaps?

 

[nt5672]

The autism rate over the last few years has spiked drastically. I'm still convinced the cause is something that's being kept from the public.

Would be nice to see apple spend some money on research towards those answers.

There are already people that think they know the answer (just search around). But, just like big tobacco decades ago, some big industries have too much invested to care. No, I'm not talking about Apple or tech.

 

[iapplelove]

Better awareness and diagnosis perhaps?

Better awareness is always good. But somethings up and I'm concerned we just don't know all the facts. Why has autism spiked so much in recent years?