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Different, Not Worse
What would you say are qualities that make someone a good friend? What are the qualities that make someone a great date? What qualities should a professional look for in a new colleague? When I draw up a list of the qualities my peers and I look for in others, here are some answers: a sense of...
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Applied Behavior Analysis as an Intervention for Individuals with Autism: Reflections on 35 years of Evolution
It is difficult to find the words that best describe the evolution of autism treatment over the past 35 years. The science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has changed substantially over the last 35 years. In 1980, autism was considered to be a low incidence disorder that was not as well...
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Using Technology to Foster Social Interaction
As parents watch today’s children play mindless and solitary video games for hours at a time, they may worry that digital devices are luring children away from social interactions with real life peers. This concern is more intense for parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as...
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The Role of Novel Research Technologies in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Mobile devices are woven into the fabric of our typical day. Portable technologies such as the iPhone, iPad and wearable activity trackers like Fitbit have significantly transformed not only how we communicate but also enable us to collect an enormous amount of health relevant data and information...
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Community Partnership and Technological Innovation
As a great example of community partnership and technological innovation, Jordan Jankus, Technologist at Arc of Westchester, shares some background about Arc of Westchester’s partnership with Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Since 2014, faculty and student interns from Mercy College, led by...
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The Changing Times and Tools of Assistive Technology: One Man’s Story of College Success
Patrick Kelty is a 27-year-old adult with an autism spectrum disorder whose life was changed by multiple forms of assistive technology. From that first elementary school reading tool, his life has immensely improved. Elementary School In his elementary years, PK (as we call him) benefitted...
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Creating an Online College Degree Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Since the early 1990’s, a surge in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses has occurred (e.g., Robertson & Ne’eman, 2008; Taylor, 2005). The reasons for this marked increase in ASD diagnoses remains controversial, but the reality of this increase has resulted in greater attention to...
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Dear World, From Someone with Autism
Editor’s Note: I wrote this from my son Jack’s perspective, based on conversations and observations of him in Disney and in life. Dear World, Last week my family went to Disney. We went to the one in Florida, not California. The one in California is called Disney...
