Outtakes: Education Week – Virtual Education Targets Rise of Autism

Jack Ursitti, age 7, poses for a portrait with his iPad in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack uses the iPad both for leisure activities, such as listening to music and looking at photos of his family, and for educational activities. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. ..Jack received an iPad for Christmas, according to his mother Judith Ursitti. “I wanted mine back,” said Judith. She had gotten an iPad for her birthday in 2010, and Jack used it constantly. “There’s something intuitive about it,” said Judith. In the beginning it was just a distraction, “but now we’re moving to use it for an educational purpose,” she said…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, age 7, looks at his schedule for the day’s activities with Sarah Hoey, of the Nashoba Learning Group, in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti looks at photos and listens to music on an iPad during a “sensory break” in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. Periodically Jack takes “sensory breaks” to stop activity and play independently, allowing him to return to his tasks with greater concentration. During the “sensory breaks” Jack does a variety of things, including looking at his reflection, making faces, jumping on a small trampoline or cushions, or play with an iPad…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, age 7, poses for a portrait with his iPad in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack uses the iPad both for leisure activities, such as listening to music and looking at photos of his family, and for educational activities. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. ..Jack received an iPad for Christmas, according to his mother Judith Ursitti. “I wanted mine back,” said Judith. She had gotten an iPad for her birthday in 2010, and Jack used it constantly. “There’s something intuitive about it,” said Judith. In the beginning it was just a distraction, “but now we’re moving to use it for an educational purpose,” she said…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, age 7, walks on a treadmill in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. In addition to educational and play activities, Jack does daily excerise including riding a bike or walking around his neighborhood with his teacher. On days with bad weather, such as this one, Jack walks on a treadmill for 8 minutes. Jack prefers outdoor activity, so makes a variety of faces while walking on the treadmill…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitii, age 7, plays on a couch during a “sensory break” in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. His teacher, Sarah Hoey from the Nashoba Learning Group, “squishes” Jack with a couch cushion, which is a favorite activity of Jack’s. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. Periodically Jack takes “sensory breaks” to stop activity and play independently, allowing him to return to his tasks with greater concentration. During the “sensory breaks” Jack does a variety of things, including looking at his reflection, making faces, jumping on a small trampoline or cushions, or play with an iPad…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, age 7, poses for a portrait in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, age 7, uses an iPad to play a spelling game in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. The game asks Jack to spell three-letter words that accompany pictures. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. ..Jack received an iPad for Christmas, according to his mother Judith Ursitti. “I wanted mine back,” said Judith. She had gotten an iPad for her birthday in 2010, and Jack used it constantly. “There’s something intuitive about it,” said Judith. In the beginning it was just a distraction, “but now we’re moving to use it for an educational purpose,” she said…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, 7, plays with his reflection in a mirror during a “sensory break” in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. Periodically Jack takes “sensory breaks” to stop activity and play independently, allowing him to return to his tasks with greater concentration. During the “sensory breaks” Jack does a variety of things, including looking at his reflection, making faces, jumping on a small trampoline or cushions, or play with an iPad…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.

Jack Ursitti, age 7, poses for a portrait with his iPad in his home in Dover, Mass., on Monday, July 25, 2011. Jack uses the iPad both for leisure activities, such as listening to music and looking at photos of his family, and for educational activities. Jack has been diagnosed with autism. After school at his home, Jack works with his teacher and a therapist to do educational and independent leisure activities. ..Jack received an iPad for Christmas, according to his mother Judith Ursitti. “I wanted mine back,” said Judith. She had gotten an iPad for her birthday in 2010, and Jack used it constantly. “There’s something intuitive about it,” said Judith. In the beginning it was just a distraction, “but now we’re moving to use it for an educational purpose,” she said…Jack Ursitti wears a small GPS ankle bracelet at all times in case he runs off from his family or caretakers. The device will be activated if he goes missing, allowing police and other searchers to find him.