Technology and Autism

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Technology and Autism

• Kelly-Lynne Brebner
• Website www.angelfire.com/magic2/kbrebner
• Email BREBNER5_at_aol.com

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Introduction

• Kelly-Lynne Brebner BA/Psychology
• Click here for my introduction to this
  presentation.

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Definition of Autism

• According to www.autism-society.org Autism is a
  complex developmental disability that typically
  appears during the first three years of life.
• Children and adults with autism typically have
  difficulties in verbal and non-verbal
  communication, social interactions, and leisure
  or play activities.

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The Autistic Spectrum

• 1) Autism
• 2) Retts Disorder
• 3) Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise
  Specified (PDDNOS)
• 4) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder,
• 5) Aspergers Disorder

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How is technology helping Autistic Children

• 1) Developing overall understanding of their
  environment2) Expressive communication skills
  3) Social interaction skills4) Attention
  skills 5) Motivation skills6) Organization
  skills7) Academic skills8) Self help
  skills9) Overall independent daily functioning
  skills.

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What is Assistive Technology?

• According to, http//www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/auti
  sm/assist/asst10.htm,
  assistive technology is any item, piece of
  equipment, or product system, that is used to
  increase, maintain, or improve functional
  capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

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Types of Assistive Technology that are Useful

• Speech models
• Computer programs
• Non-verbal communication devices

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Some Advantages of computers for those with
Autism are

• Computers are predictable and, therefore,
  controllable
• They enable errors to be made safely
• They offer a highly perfectible medium
• And they give possibilities of non-verbal or
  verbal expression.

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Current Research on Autism and Computers

• Research which was completed in the fall of 1997,
  by Patricia Hutinger and Robert Rippey goes on to
  explain how computers were able to establish
  effective communication skills in five preschool
  children. http//scott.mprojects.wiu.edu/eccts/ar
  ticles/autism1.html

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Current Research on Virtual Reality and Autism

• According to http//www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopol
  y.jsp?d303a3276, the virtual reality
  environment is a 'safe' medium in which people
  can be exposed gradually to their fears, so that
  their next encounter with the situation in the
  real world is less traumatic.

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Advantages of Virtual Reality for the Autistic
Individual

• VR uses sight and sound more than touch auditory
  and visual stimuli have been found to be most
  effective in teaching abstract concepts to people
  with autism.
• In the virtual environment, input stimuli can be
  modified to a tolerable level
• The environment can be altered gradually to teach
  generalization and cross-recognition.
• Above all, VR offers a safe learning environment
  in which the individual may make mistakes which
  might be physically or socially hazardous in the
  real world.

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Please visit the Autism Society of America
Website for current research

• www.autism-society.org

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Conclusion

• Autism is a very complex disorder that affects
  numerous individuals.
• Technology seems to be helping those with Autism
  communicate and function more independently.
• For more information please visit my website
  www.angelfire.com/magic2/kbrebner
• Click here for my Research Paper