AUTISM IN THE NEWS

April 13, 2013

Apps for the iPad, as well as an influx of computer programs and websites, are garnering the attention of educators within the autism community. Educators are finding that students using new technology are able to fully concentrate on a lesson or skill without distractions that can occur when a lesson is conducted by a teacher.

Below is an overview of some useful and innovative autism resources that teachers are implementing to help educate those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD):

·Vizzle - A research-based program created with collaboration from autism educators. Vizzle is designed to support "academic, social and communication needs of learners with autism, as well as supporting the parents and educators of those children." Teachers and educators can save lessons with ease to reference again and again, and accessing ready-made materials helps cut down on lesson preparation. There are also how-to videos in the program, and Vizzle is equipped with excellent customer support.

·Model Me Kids - A tool that uses video modeling to help children in everyday social situations. Video modeling, and Model Me Kids, play to the visual strengths of children with autism, breaking down social skills into small, easy-to-follow steps. The videos stop at times to underscore the intricacies of certain social situations that can be glossed over in live teaching. The videos employ an approach that is akin to applied behavior analysis, which is a popular behavioral intervention technique used to teach children with an ASD.

·Jacob's Lessons - A website developed by a father as a fun, interactive program for teaching his child. Children with an ASD receive lessons designed to develop skills such as gender identification, object identification and the function of those objects.  

·Helpful iPad Apps - Since the iPad was introduced to the classroom, special needs education has seen a huge change in behavioral management, social interaction and communication. iTunes has a whole section of education apps designed for special education. Some of the most popular apps include:Proloquo2Go, which helps non-verbal learners with communication, Dragon Dictation, which is a speech-to-text app that helps autistic children to better participate in class, iDress for Weather, which provides weather updates in local areas along with appropriate clothing options. Many other apps, such as timers or chore charts can assist autistic children with time management and organization.

Read more about the innovative autism educational tools here.

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