Ipad Learning Programme Gives Learners With Autism a Boost

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Schools supporting learners on the spectrum in under-resourced parts of South Africa are receiving important resources thanks to an innovative iPad Learning Programme.

Pretoria, South Africa (21 April 2025) — Edu-tech initiative iSchoolAfrica’s Disability Inclusion iPad Learning Programme is giving learners on the spectrum an inclusive boost.

At Via Nova School for Autism in Pretoria, the programme was launched as part of iSchoolAfrica’s mission to enhance educational outcomes for learners on the spectrum across South Africa.

The iSchoolAfrica Disability Inclusion programme hopes to make big strides in helping learners with Autism achieve their full potential, while positively impacting schools, specifically addressing Autism in under-resourced areas.

“Our Disability Inclusion Programme is designed to empower learners by providing personalised, engaging and adaptive learning experiences,” explains Zulaikha Goolam, iSchoolAfrica’s Disability and Inclusion Programme Manager and a paediatric speech therapist.

“iPad built-in accessibility features and curated apps have proven to be a game-changer in classrooms, particularly helping learners with autism connect, communicate and thrive in ways that traditional methods often cannot.”

The impact of the programme has already been felt in 36 inclusive schools across South Africa, including:

Vera School for Autism (Cape Town)
Thulasizwe School for Autism (Soweto)
Wonderboom Suid Skool (Pretoria)
Randburg Clinic School (Randburg)
Dorothea Special School (Stellenbosch), the first special needs school to be recognised as an Apple Distinguished School (ADS), acknowledging its leadership in technology integration.

“At Via Nova, we believe every learner deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter their challenges,” said Ms EJ Sarpong, Principal of Via Nova School. “The introduction of iSchoolAfrica’s iPad Learning Programme will open new doors for our learners – giving them the tools to communicate, engage and grow with confidence. We are proud to be part of a programme that embraces inclusion through innovation and empowers our learners to reach their full potential.”

A New Voice for Learners on the Spectrum

For learners with Autism, technology offers personalised, adaptable learning experiences specific to individual needs, allowing the learners to take in information at their own pace and in their own way.

One of the most significant challenges faced by learners with Autism is communication. Many children on the spectrum struggle with verbal expression, which makes it difficult for them to communicate their needs, thoughts, and emotions in traditional learning environments.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are a fantastic resource for ASD learners because they take the need for typical communication channels out of the equation, providing non-verbal and minimally verbal learners the opportunity to communicate freely!

The iSchoolAfrica programme makes it possible for learners with Autism in under-resourced areas to access high-tech resources like this (which are already built into iPads), with no additional clumsy, and often expensive, devices needed.

These tools, such as speech-generating apps, then help learners process and retain complex concepts to suit their learning style and express themselves in ways they never could before.

In addition to communication, technology can also play an important role in social skills development for children with Autism.

Through virtual environments and role-playing apps on iPad, learners can practice social interactions in a safe, controlled setting.

This approach allows students to familiarise themselves with real-world scenarios and practice pragmatic social behaviours without the stress or pressure of live interactions.

As for the sensory-related struggles that come with Autism, it’s no secret that traditional classrooms can be vastly overwhelming. iPad devices offer a more sensory-friendly environment where teachers can adjust the content to suit each student’s sensory preferences, whether it’s through calming apps or adjusting screen brightness and volume.