Technology

 In today’s day and age, it seems our whole world revolves around smart phones, tablets and the internet. The goals and uses of technology are very different for adolescents and young adults. These tools can be very empowering for adolescents transitioning into young adulthood, especially for individuals with autism. For some, technology can help your child become more independent. 

How Technology Can Help

Below is a list of just some of the ways technology can help your child: 

Communication  
A common use of technology to help children and adults with autism is to improve communication skills. There are hundreds of apps and many built-in features of these devices that can help support individuals with autism at all levels and abilities. One app for example could be geared toward a nonverbal child or adult, while another can help with social cues for an individual with strong verbal communication skills. Learn more about assistive technology at autismspeaks.org/autism-apps. 

Visual schedules  
Visual schedules on tablets can be a great tool to help your child complete tasks and work on skills like self-care and daily living. For example, a visual schedule for an evening routine can help them learn to manage time and gradually master a routine on their own – from an after-school snack, to homework, to teeth brushing. These visual schedules can help your child learn independent living skills, among others. 

Decision-making  
Individuals with autism who have difficulty communicating can use technology to help foster self-advocacy skills that are so important as they age into adulthood. You can start small, instead of ordering for your child at a restaurant, they can use a smartphone or tablet to point to the item they want. 

Motivating tool  
Technological devices like smartphone and tablets can also serve as motivation for your child. The use of an iPad or a favorite game app can serve as a reward for positive behavior like the completion of a chore or a homework assignment.

 Video modeling  
Video modeling is a method that involves teaching skills in a visual way. The video could be of the individual themselves completing a task or assignment, or of a teacher, educator or parent teaching the skills and steps required. Your child can watch these videos as often as they like/need to help learn important skills. Because the videos involve using a tablet or smartphone, they are most likely more interested in learning the skills this way. Video modeling can help with a wide array of skills including hygiene, job tasks and more. 

Social networking  
It can sometimes be easier for an individual with autism to socialize via social networking than through the more traditional methods. Making friends or communicating with others online can help them work on the skills that might translate at school, work or out in the community. 

Vocational assistance  
Technology can be helpful to some young adults and adults with autism in the workplace. For example, step-by-step checklists can help your child stay on top of tasks and complete them in an orderly and successful manner. Reminders and notes about each task in case they forget something can also help your child become more independent in the workplace.

 Social Media and Internet Safety

It is important that autistic individuals learn to understand what is and isn’t appropriate on the internet. Some organizations have specific classes to teach safe and fun ways to use the internet. You should closely monitor your child’s internet use to make sure their activity is safe and appropriate.

Below are some social networking safety tips for tweens and teens from the Federal Trade Commission to share with your adolescent:

 Think about how different sites work before deciding to join a site. Some sites will allow only a defined community of users to access posted content; others allow everyone to view postings.

Think about keeping some control over the information you post. Consider restricting access to your page or accounts to a select group of people for example, your friends from school, your club, your team or your family.

 Keep your information to yourself! Don’t post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number or bank or credit card account numbers – and don’t post other people’s either. Be cautious about posting information that could be used to identify you or locate you offline. This could include the name of your school, sports team, club and where you work or hang out. 

Make sure your screen name or account name doesn’t say too much about you. Don’t use your name, age or hometown. Even if you think your screen name makes you anonymous, it doesn’t take a genius to combine clues to figure out who you are and where you can be found! 

Post only information that you are comfortable with others seeing – and knowing about you. Many people can see your page, including your parents, your teachers, the police, the college you might want to apply to next year, or the job you might want to apply for in three years.

Remember that once you post information online, you can’t take it back. Even if you delete the information from a site, older versions exist on other people’s computers. 

Flirting with strangers online could have serious consequences. Because some people lie about who they really are, you never really know who you’re dealing with.

 Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person. Before you decide to meet someone, do your research. If you do decide to meet the person, be smart about it: Meet in a public place, during the day, with friends you trust. Tell an adult or a responsible sibling where you’re going and when you expect to be back. 

Trust your gut if you have suspicions! If you feel threatened by someone or uncomfortable because of something online, tell an adult you trust and report it to the police and the site. You could end up preventing someone else from becoming a victim

The Importance of Digital Literacy 

Digital literacy or knowing how to operate digital devices like smartphones, tablets and computers can be an important skill. Especially in a world where the large majority of employment opportunities involve the ability to use technology, teaching these skills to individuals with autism, should begin at an early age when possible. Your child may not have the ability to communicate in a traditional way but however they can add digital knowledge to work-related skills could be helpful. 

Teaching your child things like email, word processing, internet browsing and more will be beneficial to them throughout the teen years and adulthood. These lessons also can include social media use and what is and isn’t appropriate to share online. 

This knowledge can also help with fostering more independence for your child and can open the doors to more opportunities in high school, postsecondary education programs and eventually employment. 

Autism Expressed is an online interacting learning system that teaches marketable, digital life skills to promote independence for students in a technology driven society and economy. Learn more and sign up at autismexpressed.com. 

Assessments

Technology can also be used to conduct assessments that identify your child’s strengths and help pinpoint areas where they may face challenges. Assessments that are conducted through interviews or by pen and paper can often be difficult for children and adults with autism, so those available through computers and tablets have been found to be very beneficial. These assessments can help you tailor your child’s learning programs in a way that will continue to build upon their strengths and abilities as well as improve on skills.

Ask your child’s school about online or digital assessments that can allow you to identify factors that will help you develop a more personalized transition plan for your child.

Conclusion

Technology has the potential to play a major role in your child’s transition plan. There are definitely dangers out there on the internet that are important to make your child aware of, but the internet and technological devices and advances will continue to  
be an important resource for people with autism. 

Do your research and learn how you can best maximize the effects of technology on your child. Find tools, apps and websites that will help prepare them for the future by teaching important skills, increasing independence and expanding upon abilities and strengths that will be critical on the road to adulthood.