Assistive Technologies

Today I'm going to discuss assistive technologies specifically focussing on how they are helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As the name implies, ASD is a spectrum disorder, so it could be expressed in a lot of different ways for different people. As such, it has been challenging to create devices and supports that help those with Autism without being able to be different for those along the spectrum. Assistive technologies is defined as a device or system that allows individuals to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do. Through some of these devices that have helped those with Autism find a voice and a place, it has helped others see that those with Autism know more than they realized. One such device is known as the Picture Exchange Communication System which helped children communicate when they otherwise had great difficulty doing so. The system has a set of pictures that children can place to act as words. With the help of technology, this system has been moved onto a much easier and quicker to use device, the iPad. Now, children with ASD can easily use iPads to communicate their needs and ideas.

Here is what the PECS looks like on the iPad

Robots have become another technology created to help children with ASD. The robot is a social robot programmed to help develop communication skills, social competencies, express and perceive emotions and interpret natural cues from others. Those who trained with the robot improved their imitation eye contact time with the robot throughout the study. Robots are becoming an increasingly important tool in improving children with ASD's social capabilities. Not only training with a robot but also practicing skills in a virtual world have been shown to help. Practicing real-life situations in virtual environments created a safe place for children with ASD to become comfortable when the real-life situation happened, such as transitioning into the new classroom at the beginning of the school year.

Here is a child interacting with one of the robots designed to help those with ASD

The classroom is also an important place where assistive technologies can be a great aid for children with ASD. Teachers who are mindful of the interests of their students can increase the engagement of those with ASD and help them succeed. Such as a student who increased his attitude and lessened his anxiety towards reading when he was able to use google to search what he was interested in and create his own little books online. Taking the time to engage students with their interests vastly improved their capabilities. If taking student interest into account helps those with difficulties improve, it makes me wonder what the types of things typical children could do if they were allowed to follow their own interests in the classroom as well. All in all, technology has been an incredibly helpful feature for children who struggle with every day tasks and should be continued to be used to improve children with ASD in their daily lives.