Apple's lightweight iPad is breaking ground to provide communication and social skills for special education students using pictures, audio, words and video on its large, visually appealing multi-touch screen. The assistive technology device can accomplish the same things to improve life quality for special learners at a lower cost than other communication tools. Particularly, autistic and non-verbal children (or those with limited communication abilities) react so favorably to the portable device that it may alter the future of special education technology. Downloading a wide variety of applications for behavioral skills, social skills, math, communication and language arts offer lessons, stories and positive behavior reinforcement. Assorted applications - including one for alternative and augmented communication - allows real-sounding text-to-speech voices. This helps those with speech delays and fine-motor difficulties align with curriculum and class objectves.

The accessibility and multi-sensory capability of the iPad is ideal for special needs learners since much of the computer's task problems in the past involved using the mouse. Now students simply use their fingers to touch and drag necessary items. Many special education assistive devices have a single use. Applications for the iPad allow students to perform on many different levels with multiple purposes. Its flexibility can accommodate a student with cognitive disabilities and low language skills expression, while another learner can use the device to target his own specific learning need. Exceptional students in inclusive classrooms can try alternative test formats developed for the iPad. For the benefit of all learners, the iPad has schedules with pictures, words and reminders by audio to prompt the end of one task and the beginning of another.