Video Modeling

Modeling behavior is often used in the treatment of autism. However, many children diagnosed within the autism spectrum of disorders have difficulty with imitation, making modeling a particular challenge. Video modeling is a technology that may be more effective in the treatment of autism than live modeling.

One reason for this is that many autistic children will focus their attention on a video better than they will on a live subject. The video modeling approach is consistent and can be repeated a countless number of times.

Video modeling can be introduces in a step-by-step approach that is systematic in nature. The benefit of this approach is the steps are always identical when repeated through the video. The systematic approach can be adjusted according to the child's specific needs as well.

The video modeling approach can also be designed to block out distractions so the child focuses on the specific behavior. More advanced videos can add a few distractions here and there until the approach is faded from the child's program.

Computers

Computers can be used in a number of ways in the treatment of autism. The technology is very motivating for many autistic children and it promotes on-task behavior. Some programs have been designed specifically for autistic students.

Computers are valuable in that they are often used to create the tools used in low technology. The Picture Exchange Communication System is a low technology approach that often relies on computer generated images.

Computer generated technology can be used to help the child develop skills in joint attention. A therapist can use the computer as the focus for their shared attention. Some activities also encourage interaction with the computer as well.

The computer generated activities provide great sensory input which help decrease negative behavior and increase attention. Also, correct responses are immediately reinforced through the system on a consistent basis. Information is presented in an identical format each and every time as well which benefits the student.

Computer activities can promote fine motor skills. The child uses his hands on an interactive touch screen or he uses a mouse and keyboard to enter data into the computer. This also promotes cause-and-effect learning.

Benefits of Technology in Autism

Technological devices have proved to be very motivating for individuals who have autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. Many autistic children like to interact with computers and electronic games and these instruments can help them stay on task for longer periods of time.

The motivated individual is commonly more receptive to learning. Using pictures, gestures and other technology is useful in encouraging the autistic child to enjoy his learning environment.

Most technological interventions, whether low, mid or high-tech are visual in nature. Many autistic children think in pictures rather than in words so using images is a great way to facilitate communication.

Technology can be used to teach cause and effect. For example, the child turns the crank on a jack-in-the-box and the toy jumps out at a certain point in the action. The child hands a picture of an apple to his mother and she gives him an apple in return.

Individuals who have autism also benefit from using the fine motor skills necessary to manipulate the devices. Fine motor coordination is a major stumbling block for some cases of autism. Technological devices can be used to help an autistic individual type rather than write the words he wants to use.

Drawbacks to Technology

There are some significant drawbacks to using technology in the treatment of autism in some cases. Those who use mid technology and high technology for individuals who are not developmentally prepared may find that the child uses the devices for stimulation rather than communication or cognitive development.

These augmentative technological devices offer sensory feedback that many autistic children will enjoy strictly for their presentational value. They may not use the device as a means of expressive communication but as a means of entertainment.

Video games are of particular concern because the serve as a type of escape for the player. The goal for the treatment of autism is to integrate the individual into his surroundings. Activities like video games and computer games isolate the individual and may be a source of an obsession rather than as a means of social and cognitive development.

Technologies on the Horizon

We are just beginning to embark on new and exciting innovations in technology as they relate to the treatment of autism and related pervasive developmental disorder: virtual reality and robotics.

Virtual reality is used to create a three-dimensional world for the individual who navigates through its landscape. The three dimensional world contains people and objects that respond to the actions of the user. Virtual reality may seem like a very dangerous proposition for anyone who lives in isolation. However, this approach may be ideal for teaching some fundamentals of interaction as well as safety awareness.

Robotics in the treatment for autism and related pervasive developmental disorders has been in production for some time. The Aurora Project that worked toward developing toys that interact with autistic children began in 1998. The appeal of robotics in the treatment for autism is that robots are not emotionally-charged and they typically lack human characteristics. The original toy developed in the Aurora Project looks like a truck. It was designed to promote integration with autistic children.

Later developments required that the child face the robot in order for the device to respond. This is thought to promote eye contact. Robota is a doll-like robot developed through the Aurora Project that responds and interacts with others.

Robotics is an exciting venture that holds much promise for future treatments for autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. However, researchers at Yale University seek to use robotics to detect autism during the first year of life.

Intellikeys and Computers

High technology in the treatment of autism involves complex systems that motivate and stimulate the individual. Computers are among the most popular devices used for many individuals who have autism.

The touch screen is a valuable addition to a computer used to instruct an individual with autism. Instead of having to use complex fine motor skills required to operate a keyboard and mouse, the individual simply touches the screen in an area that corresponds to his interest.

Intellikeys are keyboard specially designed for students with disabilities. The keys are color coded and spaced widely apart making it easier to find letters and numbers on the unit.

Implementing Technology

As a general rule, technology in the treatment of autism should always begin with the simplest approach. Low technology is the best starting point because it is the least intrusive and most connected to real-life experience.

Technology in its most fundamental forms includes verbal, visual and physical prompts that serve as a type of behavioral guide for the subject. Any time a teacher or parent asks a child to sit while gesturing toward a chair he is using low technology. Physical prompts like leading the child to his seat by hand is low technology as well.

The introduction of simple electronic devices can be used in some cases to facilitate communication and motivated the child in mid technology and more complex devices can be introduced in high technology. The approaches used to introduce these instruments in the treatment of autism are systematic and deliberate in nature.

It is important that the child is developmentally ready for the process when using the mid and high technological devices. Otherwise, the child may use the device as a source of empty entertainment rather than as a learning tool.

Voice in the Box

Mid technology in the treatment of autism and related pervasive developmental disorders involves electronic devices used to aid communication. Many individuals who have autistic disorder never develop speech. However, many do have the capacity to receptively understand language.

Mid technology provides the means of expressive language that the autistic individual lacks. Common devices used to help an individual express himself include a tape recorder as well as devices created especially for communication.

The Voice in the Box is an augmentative communication device that contains recorded messages that correspond to buttons with images on them. The individual uses the icons on the buttons to determine what message he wants to play.

Social Robotics

Nico is a robot designed to function like a typical nine month old baby. This robot will be used in child psychology experiments to study social development. This Yale University project will hopefully be used to detect autism in the first year of life.

The development of social robotics will make observations normally conducted by video interactive in nature. The subject will be observed through the eyes of the robot. Social robotics can be used to systematically measure specific social cues one step at a time.

Nico is in development but there are hopes that social robotics will be able to determine how normal babies develop social skills. One of the most interesting aspects of social robotics is that the approach can be used to study self image as well.

Nico is unique in that it is programmed to measure human responses and compare those responses to a norm.

Picture Exchange Communition System

The Picture Exchange Communication System is an example of low technology in autism treatment. Low technology in the treatment of autism and related pervasive
developmental disorders involves any assisting technology that requires
no batteries or electricity to run.

Any time a parent or professional uses an object, visual representation or written text, he is using a form of low technology. This simple approach is one of the most valuable interventions in the treatment of autism and related pervasive developmental disorders.

Low technology is used in the home, school and community setting and is inexpensive and accessible to those involved with the child. This form of technology is helpful in that it can provide visual aids that foster understanding.

It is also the least intrusive form of technology. People do not need to use complex equipment in order to use low technology. Common, everyday prompts, guestures and visual aids are used naturally.