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Technology Opens Doors for College Students on the Spectrum
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders are entering college in increasing numbers (USDOE, 2011). These students may benefit from the many opportunities enjoyed by non-disabled college students, but they may also find college much more challenging. Disability services mandated by ADA such as...
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B.F. Skinner’s iPhone: The Era of Technology-Enabled Clinicians
B.F. Skinner was an American humanist, philosopher, behavioral scientist, author, and inventor. In his latter capacity, Skinner had a keen interest in the education of children. In fact, in a notable quote that captures his personal philosophy he suggested that: “It has always been the task of...
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The Importance of a Visual Schedule
It’s half past eight in the morning. Jan, a 10-year-old boy with ADHD, wakes up. His phone plays a nice, calm melody to wake him from his slumber. When the music stops, he looks at the screen of his phone to see a picture in black and white with a little man sitting on his bed and is preparing to...
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The Technique of “Twitter Speak” May Create More Effective Communication With Your Teens
“Twitter Speak.” What is it and how will it help communication with your teenager progress more smoothly? If you are a parent who has ever been confronted by your child responding with short, disinterested comments when you attempt having what you believe to be a “regular” conversation, the...
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Assistive Technology Need Not Be So Technical
When most people think of the word “technology,” they imagine iPads, tablet PCs, or internet-ready glasses. Technology, though, just means machinery or equipment developed for practical purposes. This different understanding of the word “technology” can shift a practitioner’s focus from...
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Augmentative Communication: Finding the Real Person “Trapped Inside”
Jerry, a young man with autism, approached two women in the waiting area. He pressed a button on his augmentative communication device and said, “Good morning. It’s nice to meet you.” Thanks to a Nova Chat 7 communication device, Jerry, 22 (note: he turns 23 on 1/22/14), has a voice for...
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Autism Speaks Awards iPads to 800 Individuals with Autism – Pilot Study Showed Their Effectiveness on the Communication Skills of Individuals with ASD
On December 9, 2013, Autism Speaks donated iPad 2’s to 800 financially disadvantaged individuals with autism, as well as teachers and social workers who work in the autism community with individuals in need. After the iPad grant application was announced in November, Autism Speaks received...
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Use Social Apps to Keep Skills Sharp Over the Summer
Summertime can be a welcome break from school for many students, who will cram as much sleeping in and having fun as they can into a few short months before the school year resumes. But the intrinsic break in routine can also spell disaster for some kids on the Autism spectrum or with other social...
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The Benefits and Dangers Behind Social Networking
On a daily basis, I walk into the classroom and find my students all glued to the computer screens waiting for class to begin. Before I ask them to log-off so I can begin the class, I quickly glance over their shoulders to see what they are doing online. What I find is that a majority of my...
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Bringing Computer Technology to the Forefront in Autism Education
Individuals with autism often do not learn in the same way that their typical peers do (Geurts & Embrects, 2008; Perkins, et al., 2006; Boucher, 2003; Wilkinson, 1998). To succeed when teaching an individual with autism, a teacher must capitalize on the learner’s strengths. Historically,...
