BRIC Assistive Technology Spotlight
December 2023: Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Assistive technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), offering an array of tools and devices designed to mitigate challenges and promote independence.
Assistive technology tailored for ASD aims to address these specific needs, providing personalized solutions to improve communication, foster social skills, manage sensory sensitivities, aid in education, and facilitate daily tasks.
These tools include devices and technology that aim to help with communication, reading, writing and math. Other tools may help with sensory challenges that help regulate sensory items around the individual. Other tools may be used to provide safety for ASD.
Ranging from simple apps to sophisticated devices, assistive technology empowers individuals with ASD by harnessing innovation to unlock their potential, improve their quality of life, and promote inclusion in various facets of society.
Types of assistive technology for ASD:
Communication Technology
Picture boards/cards - Picture boards and cards are used as a base level communication for those who struggle to communicate.
Speech-generating apps - None of these apps were created specifically for ASD, but they are extremely useful and cost-efficient for someone who is unable to use expressive speech effectively.
Examples:
- Proloquo2Go- Proloquo2Go provides a customizable platform for creating communication boards, grids, and visual scenes with symbols, pictures, and text. Users can navigate through these communication grids to express their needs, desires, and thoughts by tapping on the symbols or text, which are then converted into speech by the device.
- TouchChat - Similar to Proloquo2Go, TouchChat offers commutation grids with symbols, pictures, and text that can organized to convey a message. It also offers symbol libraries which is a wide range of symbols and images representing words, phrases, and concepts, allowing for personalized communication boards tailored to the user's vocabulary and comprehension. It also offers customizable vocabulary, text-to-speech and other features.
- Articulation Station - Articulation Station was created by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist for parents, SLPs and other educators to help work with children and adults with speech sound delays. It is a comprehensive articulation program offering practice at the word, sentence and story levels in 22 sounds in the English language.
Learning Technology- These technologies are used to help ASD easier learning
Examples:
- Low-tech: These options are for sensory issues, generally very simple tools, like stress balls, weighted vests, and standing desks.
- Lucidchart - Lucidchart is a high-tech option that is used to make connections from your ideas and combine them to make usable items.
Safety Technology
Examples:
- ID Bracelet: Although most of these bands were not designed for ASD, they are very practice for children that are prone to running away. These bands contain name, address, and contact information and, in some cases, automatically connect with first responders.
- AngelSense: AngelSense provides GPS tracking, assistive speakerphone to speak with the person and live monitoring. The devices has options to go on the a belt, under a shirt, or in a sleeve to place in a backpack or other bags a person may be carrying.
Other Tech to Try
Sensory toys for autism: These technologies are generally low tech and are like trampolines, brushes, noise canceling headphones, weighted blankets or other weights clothing.
Sensory Apps: Apps link Heatpad and Brainworks are used for sensory breaks. These apps are pretty simple, which focus on popping bubbles, following images with your eyes or moving blocks on the screen.
Social skill apps: These apps are designed to help people with ASD to communicate with the app. Model Me Kids help teach how to greet to how to join a conversation. The Social Express uses their animations to teach social skills.
How to get started:
Getting started with visual assistive technology involves understanding what help is needed to help identify the right tools for your specific needs and learn how to use them effectively.
Then begin to research the technology you'd like to use; there's a wide range of assistive technology available. Research various devices, apps, software, and tools designed for individuals with ASD.
Remember, while assistive technology can be highly beneficial, it's essential to integrate it into a comprehensive support plan that includes other interventions, therapies, and educational strategies tailored to the individual's needs. Consulting professionals and continuously assessing the effectiveness of the technology is crucial for the best outcomes.