Assistive Technology and Autism

What is Autism?

• Autism is known as a complex developmental disability. Experts believe that Autism presents itself in the first three years of a person's life.
• The condition is a result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on the normal brain function, affecting development of the person's communication and social interaction skills.

Learning styles and aspects

• Autistic children have a hard time remembering sequences. Avoiding long strings of verbal instructions helps.
• Drawing, art and computer programming. This helps by expanding the person's talent/skill that could be used for future employment.
• They often get fixated on one object such as trains or maps. By using those things while at school or doing schoolwork, it can help motivate the child.

Different types of learners

• Auditory- Most autistic children that learn through sound listen to tapes or recordings of people

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• Visual- it is easier to learn and interact with games,pictures, and other visual learning tools.
• Instead of being able to verbally speak, some autistic kids use pictures to describe how they feel, and what they want.

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• Typically,children with autism process visual information easier than auditory information.

Sometimes it is hard for an autistic child to process visual and auditory input at the same time, their nervous system can not handle the stress. Therefore it is easier to give them one task at a time and build from there.

How does Assistive Technology play a role?

• Assistive Technology means any item, piece of equipment,or product system,whether acquired commercially,off-the-shelf,modified or customized that is used to increase,maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

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• Assistive Technology Service- any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection,acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device

Adaptive Tools

• Audio Players and Recorders- it usually helps the child listen to the words as they read them on the page.
• Timers- This device can help with kids who have trouble with pacing.

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• Reading Guides- Reading guides are good tools for kids who have trouble with visual tracking or who need help staying focused on the page.
• Seat Cushions- An inflatable seat cushion can help kids with sensory processing and attention issues.

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• Calculators- A talking calculator has built-in speech output to reads the numbers, symbols and operation keys aloud. It can help your child confirm that he has pressed the correct keys.
• Writing Supports- Plastic pencil grips or a computer, it can help with writing. Basic word processing programs, Speech recognition programs, or Prediction software. All of these programs/software have built in features on smartphones and tablets.

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• Graphic Organizers-Graphic organizers can be low-tech. There are many different designs that can be printed out to help the child organize their thoughts for a writing assignment.

I think by adding sets of computers or other electronic devices, plus the other assistive devices in each Special Education classroom/home it can expand the child's knowledge and help them learn easier.

WORKS CITED

• www.specialed.us/auti
• www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/
• www.understood.org