7 Best Tablets for Autistic Child in 2023 [Based on Research]

Be it an autistic child looking for some added motivation to learn or an otherwise bright and special child who finds social interactions a bit overwhelming, computing devices, like tablets can be quite beneficial. As a parent or guardian, you must look for tablets that offer ready, speech-based applications or the ability to install them at will.

Also, autistic children find it hard to socialize or learn at standard schools, making tablets with powerful speakers, excellent front cameras, sizable storage modules, and powerful batteries, imperative to the cause.

But then, finding all these features on a budget device is hardly an option as you end up getting subpar speakers, basic displays with middling touch response, underwhelming battery units, color-antagonistic screens, and fewer integrated apps. The most powerful ones are exorbitantly priced and cannot always be afforded.

Considering the specialized requirements and the pressing pain points, I have put together a list of the best tablets for children with autism. The aim of the list will be to empower them with relevant and appropriate technological devices, for helping them learn and evolve faster.

7 Best Tablets For Autistic Child in 2023

As a parent looking for the most relevant and functional tablet for your autistic kid, getting spoiled for choices isn’t the most desirable of feelings. Instead, I shall now enlist 7 of the best options that are quite up to the task, when it comes to autistic children.

Most importantly, these 7 tablets have been handpicked from a more extensive collection of 37 tablets, with each being reviewed extensively across several parameters, with functionality, usefulness, kid-specific features, and the budget being a few to name.

1. Best Overall: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

If you have an autistic child at home, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is worth considering. The best thing about this tablet is the value it offers to the buyers, whilst striking the perfect balance between price, power, and productivity.

While reviewing, I ended up comparing the P11 Plus with the dated M10 Plus, only to identify the former as a better bet, courtesy of the new SoC, improved speakers, a better camera, and a more expansive 2K display.

Why is it best suited?

Purchasing the Tab P11 Plus for autistic children makes sense as you get access to a bright front camera and four stereo speakers. While the 8MP front shooter is good enough for you to stay connected with the children, the high-fidelity speakers are loud and clear enough for better verbal assistance.

Display

The 11-inch 2K screen is adequately bright. Also, the color-accurate display exhibits an overall resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, which is good enough for most kids that have a hard time connecting with the outside world. Watching movies or even interacting with UI elements is faster with the responsive Full HD IPS panel.

Design and Build

The P11 Plus weighs 1.08 pounds. Otherwise light, the tablet is quite durable and immune to the occasional drops that it might experience. The dimensions, on the other hand, foretell a tale of thickness at ‎10.17 x 6.42 x 0.3 inches. But then, you could let go of those additional inches for such a futuristic specs sheet.

Hardware

Lenovo breaks bread with the Helio G90T chipset in play. Assisting the fast processor is 4GB RAM, which can handle several browser tabs, online academia, and other relevant children-specific tasks with ease.

The 128GB storage is perfect if as a parent you want to preload learning resources onto the tablet. However, upgrading the storage is also an option, with the micro-SD slot in play.

OS, Battery, and Kid-Specific Features

The Android 11 OS is quite intuitive. Also, it comes with a dedicated Kids Space for allowing access to entertaining control. Also, if your child prefers keeping to the screen for long, the device also comes equipped with glare-minimizing specs, stringent parental control, and posture alerts if you want to help them treat holistically.

The company claims to offer up to 15 hours of battery life, however, upon my tests, I could only get 10-12 hours, which is great considering the price point. Plus, the OS comes with advanced security options, which is expected to be quite amusing to most kids.

Connectivity

You get access to a Type-C port. Wireless connectivity is handled well by dual-band wireless support. Not to mention the 3.5mm audio jack for the child to fit in earphones.

Conclusion

Overall, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus outwits most of the other tablets on the list, in terms of acoustic output, brighter and vivid 2K display, overall camera arrangement, and kid-friendly traits. However, it is the aluminum-alloy design that stands out; lending a premium appeal to the device, in case your child wants to take it out in the open.

2. Best With NLP Commands: Apple iPad (9th Gen)

Certain kids feel more at ease in the Apple ecosystem. Considering the specificity, I choose to add the 9th Gen Apple iPad to the list. However, it is the display quality and the powerful processor that influenced my decision to recommend this tablet for children with autism.

Also, when compared with the 8th Gen iPad, the 9th Gen version is more refined for autistic children, courtesy of a more powerful processor, upgraded selfie camera, and the bright, and Retina display.

Why is it best suited?

The iPad 10.2 is best suited for children with autism as it supports stylus-based maneuvering (it’s also one of the best stylus-supported tablets.) This attribute, along with the existence of the stereo speakers and Siri’s unmatched ability to follow dictations and NLP commands, makes it one of the better products on the list.

Display

The 10.2-inch screen exhibits 500 nits of brightness levels, making it one of the more vivid panels on the list. Also, the oleophobic coating ensures that the brightness doesn’t feel underwhelming to the special kids who might then find it hard to adapt to the changes. The Retina panel, however, has thicker bezels but the minor gripe is compensated for by the scratch-resistant glass.

Note: The 10-inch display looks slightly larger than other 10-inch tablets, but it’s much easier to hold despite the large setup.

Design and Build

This brings us the premium build quality of the sub $350 tablet that weighs 1.09 pounds and measures ‎9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches. From a structural perspective, it is a masterfully crafted product with the requisite slimness to account for.

Hardware

The A13 Bionic chipset is fast and can help your kid with online studies and other creative tasks. You get 3GB RAM to assist the processor followed by a 64GB storage unit, best known for quick file retrievals and non-upgradability.

OS, Battery, and Kid-Specific Features

The iPadOS 14 is interactive enough and offers a minimalistic interface for reading eBooks in the desired resolution. It also brings the Siri-powered voice support into the mix, allowing children to interact with the tablet as they would with a friend.

Connectivity

Coming to the additional specs, you get access to a lightning connector, a 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth 4.2, and wireless AC functionality. Plus, there is a dedicated fingerprint scanner that you can deploy for restricting tablet access.

Conclusion

The Apple iPad is a cut above the rest when visual brilliance and voice-based device control are concerned. Plus, the premium form factor makes it a reliable bet for most kids and adults, alike. But then, for the compact size, the iPad Mini is also a reliable bet. It features an 8.3-inch screen, 64GB storage, and a surprisingly better front FaceTime shooter for seamless interactions.

3. Best from Samsung: Samsung Tab A7

It is natural for an autistic kid to be impatient, even with something as trivial as tablet charging. This is why purchasing the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 makes sense as it can refill the battery in a jiffy, whilst being affordable.

Before including this tablet in this list, I even compared it with the 2019-launched Tab A, only to find that the Tab A7 comes loaded with a bigger screen and that additional chunk of system memory.

Why is it best suited?

It is the fast charging support and a sharp WUXGA+ panel that qualify Galaxy Tab A7 as one of the better tablets for autistic children. While the fast charging capability adheres to impatience, the stellar screen comes across as highly responsive and adequately bright.

Display

The 10.4-inch screen offers a 5:3 aspect ratio for seamless viewing. Plus, the TFT panel comes with an inherently high refresh rate, making occasional gaming fun for the special child. I tried playing PUBG, Fortnite and noticed no lags.

Design and Build

The metal-clad Galaxy Tab A7 weighs a mere 1.05 pounds. However, this is one of the slimmer products on the list with dimensions reading 9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 inches.

Hardware

At the core, you have the Snapdragon 662 chipset, capable of reaching a maximum clock speed of up to 2GHz for one of the two quad-core segments. Plus, there is the Adreno 610 graphics support for managing and rendering visuals, better.

The 3GB RAM is an appropriate allotment considering the price. Storage-wise, you get 64GB, out of the box, which can be upgraded up to 1TB, if required.

OS & Kid-Specific Features

Just like most Samsung-branded tablets, this one also offers Android 10 as the pre-existing OS, paired with the OneUI 3.1 atop the operating platform. Not to mention the Dolby Atmos support that works exceedingly well with the quad-speaker setup, allowing kids to experience music and audio-specific content with perfection.

Connectivity & Battery

The Galaxy Tab A7 makes room for the Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.0, and dual-band Wi-Fi support. Plus, you also get access to the much-anticipated 3.5mm audio jack for enjoying music on the go. The battery offers 12 hours of steady backup, which is quite reasonable considering the price point

Conclusion

To sum it up, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is a reliable tablet that exceeds other products on the list in terms of cost-to-ownership ratio and obviously the 15W quick charging enhancement. Plus, it’s easy to hold and lets you upgrade the storage, as willed.

4. Best with SIM Support: Vastking Kingpad M10

For tight-fisted parents with special kids, the Vastking Kingpad M10 is the tablet to own. Surprisingly, it even outwits the likes of Lenovo Tab P11 Plus in certain aspects. If you compare it with a more dated variant, i.e. the KingPad K10 Pro, I would still recommend the M10, as it shelters a much powerful chipset, 2K display, and cellular support at the core.

Why is it best suited?

It is the Android 11 UI and the brilliant, 2K display that qualify it for special children. As the requirements of autistic kids need to be monitored, it is the eye-friendly screen that lets you focus more on productivity and less on burnout. Plus, the cellular connectivity should help in a couple of ways.

Display

The VastKing M10 comes equipped with a 10.3-inch 2K IPS display, boasting 2.5D glass protection, narrower bezels, and a wide-angle viewing experience. This way, it becomes easier for autistic children to experience content, in its most perfect form.

Design and Build

This tablet features a metallic structure with minimal plastic undertones. Plus, it weighs close to 1 pound and measures 9.7 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches, which readily qualifies it as one of the slimmer tablets on the list. Also, you get access to a docking station for pairing an external keyboard, if needed.

Hardware

The Unisoc T618 processor is capable of handling most tablet-specific tasks. However, it gets the multitasking juice from the 4GB RAM. Kingpad also offers 128GB of storage space that can be upgraded by an additional 2TB, via the microSD slot.

OS, Battery & Kid-Specific Features

The operating platform offers several nifty enhancements including useful voice control support and Face Unlock for protecting data and resources. Plus, you get a massive 13MP rear shooter to help hone the photography skills of the kids.

The 8MP front snapper is good for video calls, whereas the four-speaker setup is a perfect resource for audio-based learning. Also, there is a 12-hour battery backup to exalt.

Connectivity

This is one of the very few tablets under $200 price mark that offers 4G LTE connectivity. It comes with a hybrid SIM slot, Type-C port, 3.5mm jack, and relevant Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards for establishing faster wireless connections.

Conclusion

The Vastking Kingpad M10 comes at a budget but hardly disappoints. Instead, the metallic chassis followed by the massive battery life, an excellent set of shooters, and the reliable processor readily make it a better, all-inclusive choice, as compared to other mentioned products.

5. Best for E-Reading: Fire HD 10

If you’re looking for a tablet for your kids interested in reading ebooks, then the Amazon Fire HD 10 will surely leave you impressed.

Why is it best suited?

The Fire HD 10 provides you with unlimited Amazon FreeTime which has over 20,000 books, videos, movies, etc. to keep your kids entertained. Also, it has easy-to-use parental controls which help you filter out any age-inappropriate content you come across. It also helps you to monitor your child’s screen time.

Display

Although it has a good display quality of 1280 x 800 pixels, it falls flat against the Fire HD 10’s full HD quality display. So, if you have the money to spare, then I recommend you go for the Amazon tablet.

Design and Build

The special design feature of this model is its durable hard foam case. The case protects the tablets from small bumps and falls and also offers a built-in kickstand at the back. It measures 9.73 x 6.53 x 0.36 inches and weighs 0.63 pounds. It also has a USB Type-C port along with a MicroSD card slot.

Hardware

The tablet is powered by the Helio P60T chipset which combines an Octa-Core processor that clocks in at a frequency of 2GHz. It has a 3GB RAM space that is good enough for performing everyday tasks as well as some basic level multitasking.

Furthermore, that tablet has an in-built storage of 32GB which can be further expanded with a MicroSD card slot. It employs the Fire OS that offers a free 1-year subscription to Amazon’s free for Kids service.

OS, Battery & Kid-Specific Features

With a 2MP front and back camera, the Fire HD 10 doesn’t offer much on the camera front. The picture quality is okayish and the recording quality is mediocre which is expected. This model has an unbelievable battery life of up to 12 hours. You can fully charge the tablet within 4 hours.

Connectivity

Samsung fits in a micro-USB port for faster data transfers. Plus, you also get access to BT 4.2 and dual-band wireless support.

Conclusion

Overall, the tablet is a must-have for parents wanting to introduce their kids to tablets. Its solid performance, brilliant display, easy-to-use parental controls and unlimited Amazon FreeTime will not only impress the kids but also all the parents out there!

6. Best Budget Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

If your kid prefers smaller tablets, the latest-launched Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the one to get. While the specs sheet is pretty average, it is the metal frame and software experience that makes all the difference at an affordable price.

Also, if you already own the Galaxy Tab A7, the Lite model seems to be a good alternative, courtesy of a lower price tag and a slimmer form factor for the special kids to manage the tablet, perfectly.

Why is it best suited?

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a good computing resource for kids with special conditions. As autistic kids cannot always be attentive about multiple issues at once, this tablet ensures that frequent charging is the least of their worries.

Display

The 8-inch screen assumes an overall resolution of 1340 x 800 pixels. While it is certainly not the brightest, it is still good enough for reading, with a 16:10 aspect ratio to show for.

Design and Build

The aluminum-clad chassis more than justifies the cost followed by a reasonable heft of 0.81 pounds! Also, the tablet measures ‎0.31 x 4.91 x 8.37 inches, which makes it easy to carry and use outdoors. From a structural perspective, there is an 8MP rear shooter in play followed by a 2MP front snapper.

Hardware

MediaTek’s Helio P22T is a standard octa-core SoC but can help with most browsing and study-related tasks. The PowerVR GE8320 graphics co-processor lends a helping hand, followed by 3GB of RAM. As far as storage support is concerned, there’s a limited storage of 32GB. However, you can upgrade the same up to 1TB with the micro-SD card.

OS, Battery & Kid-Specific Features

The tablet ships with Android 11 OS which is loaded with interactive features. Also, the tablet comes pre-loaded with two-month YouTube premium for the kids to watch and learn from exclusive content, on the go. Plus, there are stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support to help with acoustic learning and training.

Connectivity

Finally, Samsung fits in the USB-C port for faster data transfers, even in a budget offering. Plus, you also get access to Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band wireless support.

Conclusion

Overall, the Tab A7 Lite is a standard tablet from Samsung without those flashy bells and whistles. However, the software experience readily outpaces even some of the sub $150 tablets on the list.

7. Best For Young Kids: Dragon Touch Y88X Pro

For kids interested in pre-loaded games, audiobooks, painting tools, and other compatible bits of content, there isn’t a better tablet than the Dragon Touch Y88X Pro. Also, as compared to the standard Y88X, the Pro variant comes with a faster processor, which then makes life easier for the special kids who are mostly low on patience.

Why is it best suited?

The most important reason for investing in the Y88X Pro is the barrage of age-appropriate content viewing options and apps like ABC Mouse, Disney+, YouTube kids, and more. Plus, as a guardian, you can restrict usage by deploying the existing parental controls.

Display

The visual experience exceeds the under-$100 pricing with Dragon Touch making way for a 7-inch screen with a 178-degree wide-angle viewing experience. Plus, there are several eye care modes on offer by the IPS panel, to make viewing easier and absolutely glare-free.

Design and Build

The entire package weighs 1.98 pounds and measures 9.8 x 9.02 x 0.40 inches. Despite being a tad thicker as compared to others, the Y88X Pro is still quite durable and encapsulated within a rugged case for added security

Hardware

The 1.5GHz quad-core processor is a reasonable addition, ably supported by 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage. While most basic kid-specific processes hardly feel like a challenge to this tablet, the storage space can always be upgraded to 128GB, via the microSD slot.

OS, Battery & Kid-Specific Features

The Android 10 UI is as interactive as it gets. Plus, the product itself is pre-loaded with several handy apps and tools, as mentioned previously. The battery life isn’t exactly a feature Dragon Touch pushed forth but I could churn out over 11 hours, despite heavy usage.

Connectivity

There is one USB port in play, followed by Bluetooth support and wireless compatibility that can help establish faster online connections.

Conclusion

The Dragon Touch Y88X Pro is the perfect tablet for kids whom you would want to train and appease with integrated drawing and reading tools. While the feature set is quite basic, this tablet scales above the rest when pre-existing apps are concerned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Each of the tablets mentioned on the list is good enough to be gifted to autistic children. However, if you are still getting confused, here are some of the handpicked selections, based on specific use cases.

• Place your bets on the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus if you want to gift an all-inclusive tablet to your special child
• Purchase the Apple iPad (9th Gen) if you seek the ingenuity of the Apple Ecosystem and best-in-class voice support
• Invest in the Fire HD 10 or the Dragon Touch Y88X Pro if you want to get hold of several kid-friendly apps and resources.

In addition to these curated picks, you can also zero in on other tablets from the existing, based on processing power, targeted specifications, storage support, innovative perks, and the budget.