Technology Teaching Tools for Kids With Autism

Communication and social-interaction skills present unique challenges for kids who struggle with the developmental disorder autism. Thanks to recent technological advances, autistic kids are able to combat and overcome many of the challenges they face by using teaching tools that are designed to meet their special needs.

  1. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices

    • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices use technology to create communication systems that autistic kids with varying levels of verbal ability can use to generate communication and speech. Examples of some AAC devices include visual symbols, two-dimensional communication boards and speech generating devices. There are a wide variety of speech generating devices, from basic battery-operated tools that deliver only a single message to more complex, computerized devices that enable the user to communicate unlimited messages.

    Software

    • Mind Reading is a software program designed to help autistic kids learn how to read and recognize other people̵7;s emotions. The program̵7;s main features include an Emotions Library, a Learning Centre, and a Games Zone. In the Emotions Library, users can access video clips, audio clips and textual information about 412 different emotions. The Learning Centre offers various lessons and quizzes to help reinforce user recognition of emotions, and the Games Zone uses card matching and other games to encourage continued but less formal study of emotions. Vizzle is a research-based software program which uses visual imagery to support its lessons, which are designed to meet the unique academic, social and communication needs of autistic learners.

    iPad and iPhone Apps

    • The iPad, iPhone and other smart technology devices are popular teaching tools for autistic kids who are generally highly visual learners. Since the development of mobile app technology, the market has exploded with apps geared toward kids on the autism spectrum. Kid in Story, for example, is an app that allows users to create personal social stories or watch others unfold in step-by-step picture books. Model Me Going Places is an app that uses video modeling to help autistic kids examine social situations they may struggle to understand, while VAST Autism 1 ̵1; Core is an app that focuses on improving speech in autistic kids by using close-up videos of people modeling expressive language.

    Web-Based Learning Tools

    • The Internet is packed with a wealth of teaching tools for learners of all levels and abilities, including those on the autism spectrum. TeachTown is a computer-assisted educational program designed to improve the proficiency of autistic kids in six key areas, including language development and cognitive skills. Autism Unlocked is a website designed to teach specific conversation and communication skills to autistic kids. Users are motivated to continue learning by the opportunity to unlock other pages with exciting content including videos, music, and a drawing pad. Skills: The Online Autism Solution is a web-based teaching tool designed to support teachers of autistic learners with behavioral challenges. Users can track progress and evaluate treatment outcomes in one convenient location.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Children's Activities in Biloxi, Mississippi
      The city of Biloxi, Mississippi, is about 90 minutes from New Orleans as you travel along the Gulf Coast. Although it is best known for its casinos, Biloxi and the nearby city of Gulfport have many attractions for kids. With the beautiful coastline a
    • Discussing Trauma With Kids
      Trauma can have long-lasting effects on children, whether they are involved in a trauma, know a friend who went through a traumatic experience or witnessed one on TV. Discussing trauma with your children can help them understand it and cope. However,
    • How to Set up Parental Controls on Comcast
      Keeping your kids safe and monitoring what they watch can be a hard task. Comcast has set up parental controls for you to use on Comcast digital cable. This is easy and free to do and it will help to ease your mind knowing that your kids are not watc