Blog 12 - Technology Helps Non-Verbal Autistic Kids Communicate - Caitlin Gault

The article that I read this week focused on an experimental use of iPads in a classroom for kids with severe autism at a school in Ontario, Canada (Beverly School). The goal was to see if the students would be able to use different forms of technology to learn to communicate, since language is a difficult system for children with severe autism to grasp. They are trying to figure out how to help non-verbal autistic students communicate and connect to their peers, families, teachers, etc. The teachers in this classroom used very low-cost applications that allowed students to point to the words that they were trying to use, which has helped eliminate some of the behavioral issues and frustrations that often occur in severely autistic children when they cannot express their desires. There have been some warnings against using technology in the classroom though, especially from Bridget Taylor, one of the founders of the Alpine Learning Group. She believes that “autistic children can become too focused on the devices… [and that] ‘kids are drawn to technology and…there could potentially be a reliance on it that’s not so beneficial in the long run'” (Lawrence, 2012).

             

This article was interesting because it was discussing the benefits of technology in the classroom, which is an interesting topic since we are constantly developing new technologies. I have often wondered about how beneficial iPads (and other technology) in the classroom really are, since they have the potential to be distracting. There are thousands (maybe even millions) of applications on these devices that have some use in the classroom setting, but having technology bombarding students, especially those who already have a disorder that affects communication and reception, like autism, can have negative outcomes. I believe that all children should have access to resources and technology, especially those which can positively impact their education; however, I think it is important to carefully weigh the benefits against the consequences before deciding to inundate children with even more technology, especially if detrimental or ineffective.

Lawrence, J. (2012, November 15). Technology Helps Non-Verbal Autistic Kids Communicate | Education News. Education News. Retrieved November 16, 2012, from http://www.educationnews.org/technology/technology-helps-non-verbal-autistic-kids-to-communicate/