“For individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the use of technology to provide intervention, particularly targeting the core social–communication deficits of the disorder, is promising.” Allison L. Wainer and Brooke R. Ingersoll (2010)
Computer technology and communication, whether it be globally or within the same room, are important for all humans. But what happens when the same things everyone else knows and learns by socializing with one another is lost on a particular individual? Children affected by autistic spectrum disorder in many cases have trouble with social skills. The brain does not act in ways where the autistic child knows what is appropriate behavior for certain places and what is not.
Allison Wainer and Brooke Ingersoll take a look at all the computer-aided programs designed to teach social skills to ASD children. Their research reviews the advancements in the past 15 years of computer technology – both virtual reality systems and software programs. In their research, many studies show a prevalence of ASD children having a strong learning ability with computers and are highly visual.
On a personal note, a friend’s child has an autistic spectrum disorder and recently began to swear in restaurants. As a mother, she tries to quiet him as you would with any child. However, this is not an ordinary child. What may be taught with a few words and discipline cannot be taught in the same way to her child. There must be another way, she says, because while he may not know what is he is saying, he uses it quite well and often in inappropriate places.
Wainer and Ingersoll reviewed computerized programs, the tests given to students, and how each applied into the real world. Their results concluded
While their review did not take into consideration of a control group, both researchers were impressed with the social, educational strides and speech improvement was evident in all ASD children participating in the program.
Although Wainer and Ingersoll report much progress in 15 years of this type of work, there is much more to be done. And with the increase of autistic spectrum disorders diagnosis increasing in both male and female children, it cannot come too soon.
Wainer, A., Ingersoll, B. The use of innovative computer technology for teaching social communication to individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 5 (2011) 96–107.
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