We are in a moment of limitless possibilities. Tech innovation is the new zeitgeist, and its development and growth are moving bewilderingly fast. With it comes possibilities to provide the best care and the best outcomes for those living with autism and their families. For providers largely focused on the human and not the machine, it can be a confusing time, knowing there is so much that can be harnessed within the technology landscape, but with little understanding of how to capture the benefits. That’s why the power of partnership with tech allies could provide better care and outcomes, leading the way for other industries to follow suit. We are on the precipice of big changes, and providers, who are in the unique position to understand the challenges experienced by those living with autism and their families, can find dynamic collaborators in technology companies who are in a position to help with innovative solutions.
Providers aren’t technology experts. That’s why we need the best minds from different places to come together to solve the challenges that those with autism, and their families, face. The partnership between providers, technology companies, businesses, and universities, with their extensive research capabilities, can have a profound impact on the accessibility and user experience of technological interventions. Consider a scenario where a communication app developed through this partnership is designed to accommodate different language preferences and sensory sensitivities, ensuring a more inclusive experience for all users. Alternatively, consider one that is used to create a personalized space where information on a child with autism can be shared with families, physicians, and educational settings in real time, reducing communications challenges and enhancing the ability to deliver tailored interventions.
Some of these technologies are already available and are poised to offer creative answers to those with the skills to unlock them. It takes both providers, who understand the challenges and barriers to better care, and the technology community’s ability to envision creative solutions based on their unique vantage point in a rapidly changing industry.
Virtual Reality: A Window to a New World
Research is being done on the benefits of virtual reality (VR) on everything from Narcan administration to save lives after an opioid overdose, to anxiety reduction, to improving athletic performance. By partnering with VR companies, human service providers can harness the same thinking to usher in new ways to transform autism care, enabling individuals to explore new environments, develop social skills, and manage sensory sensitivities in a controlled and immersive way. For children with autism, VR environments could serve as safe spaces to practice real-world scenarios such as navigating a crowded street or engaging in social interactions, building confidence, reducing anxiety, and enhancing communication skills.
VR technology could also allow therapists and educators to create personalized interventions that cater to the specific needs of each individual. For instance, therapists could simulate social situations and guide the child through appropriate responses, thereby fostering improved social interactions. As technology advances, VR may also facilitate remote therapy sessions, making help more accessible to families regardless of their location, as well as assisting in the training of both therapists and families, creating better outcomes and seamless interventions.
The Power of Apps: Interactive Learning and Communication
Mobile applications have revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, and interact, and they hold immense potential in supporting families with loved ones who have autism. Apps designed with individuals with autism in mind could offer a range of features, from educational games that promote cognitive development to communication tools that facilitate expression.
Language and communication barriers often pose significant challenges for those with autism. Specialized communication apps, often utilizing picture symbols or text-to-speech functionalities, can empower individuals to convey their thoughts, emotions, and needs effectively. These apps could bridge the gap between individuals with limited verbal communication skills and their caregivers, educators, physicians, and peers in really powerful ways.
Beyond communication, apps could assist in skill-building across various kinds of life experiences, including academics, daily routines, and life skills while providing families with one single source for information sharing, care collaboration and communication, all tailored to match an individual’s unique strengths, challenges and needs.
Artificial Intelligence: Personalized Support and Data Analysis
Artificial intelligence (AI) is in its infancy but growing up fast with much of its potential still unknown. What we do know is that AI is being used in industries from healthcare to hospitality with new uses being discovered daily. For those with autism, AI-powered systems could be created to adapt and evolve based on an individual’s progress and responses, ensuring that interventions remain relevant and effective over time. These systems have the potential to provide continuous and dynamic support, making learning and skill development more efficient and engaging.
Data-driven insights derived from AI analysis can help providers make informed decisions about treatment plans, tracking progress, and making necessary adjustments. By identifying patterns and trends, AI can contribute to a more holistic understanding of an individual’s strengths and challenges, enabling caregivers and therapists to create highly-targeted interventions.
Enriching the Ecosystem: Everyone Needs to Play a Part
By uniting clinical expertise with technological innovation, we not only enrich the lives of those on the autism spectrum but also pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society. Technology can transform the way families support their loved ones, offering personalized interventions, enhancing communication, and fostering successful outcomes. However, it is the synergy between these technological tools and effective communication between providers and families that truly unlocks the potential of technology to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of individuals with autism. Through this integration, we pave the way for a better and more accessible future. As a clinician, I am inspired by the potential, confident that our collective efforts will change lives.
To contact Dr. Karen Lindgren, Chief Clinical Officer at Bancroft, email karen.lindgren@bancroft.org. For more information on the services Bancroft provides, go to www.bancroft.org.
