Children with Autism need to use assistive technology for many reasons:
1. Overall understanding of their environment
2. Expressive communication
3. Social interaction skills
4. Attention skills
5. Motivation skills
6. Organization Skills
7. Academic skills
8. Self help skills
9. Overall independent daily functioning skills.
Children with autism have difficulty processing auditory information, thus, any form of low tech to high tech device that will increase the opportunity for visual input will subsequently improve the capabilities of children with autism in every aspect of daily living.
Low technology includes a support strategy that does not involve any type of electricity or battery to operate the device. These are typically low cost and easy to use equipment.
- Dry erase boards
- Clip boards
- Binders
- Folders
- Photo albums
- PECS (Picture Exchange Communcation System)
- TOBIs -True Object Based Icons are line drawings or pictures that are cut out in the actual shape or outline for the item they represent. The child can both see and feel the symbol and shape. Two-dimensional representation system
- Boardmaker – The Mayer-Johnson softwear program which offers a 3,000 picture communication symbol library.
2. Mid technology includes battery operated devices or electronic devices that require limited advancements in technology.
- Tape recorder
- Language Master – This device is about 25 years old that contain cards with a recordable strip at the bottom with a corresponding visual cue. A short verbal message can be recorder on each card and played through the Language Master
- Overhead projector
- Timers
- Calculators
- Video camcorder
- Simple voice output devices or (VOCA) Voice output communication Aids – These devices are used as an augmentative means to communicate. Usually battery operated and portable recording devices that use a simple button activation method for a corresponding visual representation.
High technology mainly includes any computer or video gaming device. More details will be posted at a latter time about high technology options and software applications.
Many children with autism are highly motivated by technology because due to their predictability and consistency compared to the unpredictable nature of humans. These uses place the child in control increasing opportunities to become more independent in the occupation of learning.
References:
Miller-Kuhaneck, H and Walting, R. (2010) Autism: A comprehensive OT approach. 3rd edition, AOTA press.
Susan Stokes. “Assistive technology for children with Autism”
I have only seen low tech devices used with autistic children, does anyone else have experience with mid-high tech with autistic children? Most of the kids that I have seen either never mastered the low tech or there was a fear of the child throwing a device that could break or hurt someone else that it wasn't considered. Cost and follow through is also a consideration.
ReplyDeleteOne of the children in a middle school I serve uses whats called the "springboard"...costs about 2500 dollars range, and may be considered a mid tech. He is becoming efficient in using it, utilizing different pages and screens with activity choices, its a VOCA, very portable. The family is looking to see if he could use it even at home, but system may not allow that.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kevin - thanks for the nice overview of technology! I am really looking forward to discussion on some of the higher tech options emerging in availability to support these kids/families! Amy
ReplyDeleteThanks Kevin, I liked the breakdown into the three categories. There is a 12 year old boy with an ASD in my son’s grade at school and he definitely has achieved a big ‘coolness’ factor due to his being so skilled on computer games. It seems that he can interact as not just as an equal but better than that when they play online. It also seems to have an impact on how his peers view and accept him.
ReplyDeleteRe your comment Audra: in my work the newest device we use is the I-pad. It small and light so there is not too much worry about the kids throwing it, anyway the kids are little so I need to hold it while they interact with it. We are also beginning to use it in place of the dynavox because it costs a lot less and is so much more portable. I don’t know much about what programs are out there for it, right now It’s very new to us and we only use a few apps.
Catherine
Wow! It's finally starting to click for me! So many of my older students with ASD love the computer. I always sort of assumed it was because of their awkwardness socially and with sports/outside activites. Also from a sensory perspective... sort of a safe zone. I never considered it may also be due to their ability to visually process information so much better then auditory!
ReplyDelete