Interactive Technology and Autism: Dayschool's Journey...

Thanks to generous donations, the Dayschool has been the lucky recipient of new technology this past year. We have graciously received interactive/touch devices (17 iPads and a Smartboard) and can now proudly stand amongst the rest in modern education! The positive reviews of devices like iPads and Smartboards with children with disabilities have been a hot topic all over the internet. Despite research regarding the effectiveness of this technology being relatively new; it makes sense to me why many children with autism seem to enjoy them. With zero learning curve and the ability to access videos, music and games at your fingertips; simply put, this makes for one powerful reinforcer!! However, this is not to say we weren't a bit tentative the moment we got them. Having talked and talked to anyone willing to listen about all the wonderful benefits of iPads and Smartboards, when they finally came into our possession; we hooted, hollered, jumped for joy…and then scratched our heads and thought, “So, what are we going to do with these things?”

It wasn't that we didn’t research into, or for some, experience firsthand the benefits of interactive technology with children with autism, but when it finally came to fruition, we just weren't prepared programmatically. In other words, as easily and quickly as we happily received them, we could not as easily and quickly hand them out to our teachers and students for use. As the reluctant designee for all things “techie” at our school AND being a pro-PC fan (gasp! I know!), configuring iPads for appropriate use for 76 students is no easy task. And until we discovered that we could charge and sync at least 12 iPads simultaneously with purchase of a sync and charge cart…well, let’s just say, I was pretty possessive over any open outlet I saw. And as for the teachers, they were and still are, learning to create interactive lesson plans using the Smartboard software. Not only are they teachers, but they’re slowly learning to become novice programmers too!

Some projects in the works that I hope to be able to report on in the future?

With continuing interest in assistive technology, some of the iPads at the Dayschool have Proloquo2go installed. The advantages of using an iPad as a communication device supersedes any other standard device on the market out there for one simple fact; if it breaks, you go to an Apple store, get it fixed in a reasonable amount of time without jeopardizing a child's only means of communication and you do it with minimal pain involved (although I hear visiting the Genius Bar can ruin one’s psyche).

We will also be experimenting with using the iPads “Facetime” to work on social skills with some of our students. This may be a great way to learn basic conversational skills using written prompts that won’t be intrusive or awkward when face to face. It will also open doors to meeting and conversing with typical peers. And hey, isn’t this how we’ll all be interacting in a few years anyway?

The Smartboard has been a great way to work on group instruction in larger groups at the school while keeping the students motivated and attentive. Jordan’s class was able to participate in an interactive lesson about community helpers together. Jessie’s class has enjoyed a series of interactive lessons about living and non living things with a Jeopardy type game.

On a final note, as the Dayschool teachers are beginning to make technology part of their regular curriculum; we must remind ourselves that these amazing tools are simply that, tools. They do not replace our instructional strategies based on Applied Behavior Analysis that have been heavily researched, well documented and known to be effective. These tools are supplements to what already is in place; good practice in ABA. Without these tools, that is still what we are left with and there’s nothing wrong with that!