Using assistive technology to educate students with developmental disabilities and autism

Abstract

Simpson (2005) reported that although children with DD and autism can benefit from the use of AT, the potential for use of this medium by this population remains largely unexplored. According to Simpson, AT may be an effective intervention to address student needs in: (a) communication, (b) matching, (c) spelling, (d) problem solving, (e) alertness, (f) motivation and behavior, (g) task completion, and (h) self-help. In addition, AT may be effective with students with DD and autism because these students love playing with a computer due to the predictability of its activities (see Thorp, 2007). Furthermore, computers provide stimulating visual images that children with DD and autism crave.

Citation

Nkabinde, Z.P. (2008), "Using assistive technology to educate students with developmental disabilities and autism", Rotatori, A.F., Obiakor, F.E. and Burkhardt, S. (Ed.) Autism and Developmental Disabilities: Current Practices and Issues (Advances in Special Education, Vol. 18), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 273-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0270-4013(08)18013-8