Siri Helps Autistic Teen
By Dr. Marciene Mattleman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Judith Newman recently found out to whom her son Gus was speaking so much on her iPhone. It was Siri, Apple's "intelligent personal assistant," with a soothing voice who became Gus' best friend, with whom he has many conversations about his obsessions - trains, planes, buses and weather to name a few, getting up-to-date information.
While many moms restrict phone use, Judith Newman is grateful to Siri who seems to personalize messages, like when Gus mentions music, she replies kindly, "You're certainly entitled to your opinion."
For children like Gus, an autistic 13-year-old who loves to chat, Siri is more than a diversion.
The conversations are a kind of compatibility that encourages discussion and Newman's article, "To Siri, With Love," is a big thank you in The New York Times, attributing the fluid use of language to his relationship with Siri.
And it spurred me to press that button on the front of my iPhone and meet Siri as well!