Assistive Technology & Autism

For years, different modes of technology have been used to improve the quality of life of people who have various developmental disabilities . However, the varied use of technology for children with autism continues to receive limited attention, despite the fact that technology tends to be a high interest area for many of these children.

This article will discuss how various modes of technology (including technology designed as augmentative communication systems), can be used for children with autism to increase or improve their:

• Overall understanding of their environment;
• Expressive communication skills;
• Social interaction skills;
• Attention skills;
• Motivation skills;
• Organization skills;
• Academic skills;
• Self help skills;
• Overall independent daily functioning skills.

Available Assistive Technologies

Augmentative & alternative technology: an element of technology that can aide students that do not have the proper verbal skills or communication skills in order to learn. AAC devices are used primarily with children with autism.

• Low-tech systems. Simple paper or object based systems, do not require a battery, ex: Yes and No charts that child points to
  
• Light-tech systems. Speech recorder; can be beneficial for students when a familiar voice is recorded.
  
• High-tech systems. Computerized VOCAs that vary from single purpose appliance-like systems to multipurpose computer-based communication aids. Typically high-tech systems require training and ongoing support to operate the devices.

Remote Infrared Audible Signage: blind/visually impaired students can access same information that is in their environment. Signs are spoken to individuals; rather than read.

Even elements such as spell check, or predictive text can aide students with learning disabilities. When students have difficulty reading and spelling, if they come close to spelling a word correctly, the spell checker will help correct them. This is something that is especially helpful for children with learning disabilities because everyone uses spell check, therefore, they do not feel embarassed or inferior.

Assistive Technology Links

This is an excellent PDF file that provides a basic overview of assistive technology. I would highly recommend this to any parent looking to further their research on the subject as this document provides the logistic information including information about IEPs and the technology.

Although this document appears to be long and overwhelming at first, it is easily understood. It is broken up in a logical manner that can help families receive the technology that their students may need. One of the most beneficial sections of this piece is the "Questions to Ask" section. It provides numerous questions that parents may/should ask administrators and teachers about regarding assistive technology. Furthermore, this may be beneficial for teachers as well that may not know much about assistive technology.

www.birth23.org/Publications/assistivetech.pdf

Other links include:

This is a shorter PDF that explains how assistive technology may be integrated into an IEP. This is a great resource for parents, because it includes questions to ask about the technology and ways to ensure the school will provide it.
www.fctd.info/uploads//IEP_print.pdf

This is a link to the American Speech and Language Hearing Association that focuses on hearing impairments and the assitive learning devices.
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm

A brief overview of the definition of assistive technology:
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109

This is the Family's Guide to Assistive Technology. It provides fictional scenarios for parents to read over and several addition links as resources.
http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html

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