As per US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Autism is on the rise, with an average of one in 88 children identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is a
As per US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Autism is on the rise, with an average of one in 88 children identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood.
The challenge for those with autism is typical social interaction. How to navigate that domain is like being put into a new culture. Both as children and adults, acclimatizing to new environments is not easy for autistic people. Adjusting to a new school, or job becomes difficult, as a person suffering from autism can not adjust easily to the new sensory stresses. While a lot of research is being done towards understanding and curing autism, in most cases, the best that can be done are therapy environmental changes. However, smartphones and particularly tablets may offer some help.
Advancements in mobile platforms have completely changed the way we interact with the technology. It has also changed user behavior patterns and mindsets, ultimately changing the way our brain functions. These changes can be made permanent through repetition. While others might not even feel these changes, they can be life changing for those suffering from ASD.
"Being able to use computers for communication eliminates the stress of decoding non-verbal body language. Whereas face-to- face interaction requires the simultaneous processing of words, pragmatics, vocal inflection and non- verbal cues, asynchronous communication does not. Recorded video, for example, can be reviewed as many times as possible to figure out the problem before offering a response. " As per Stephen Shore, author of Autism for Dum.mies.
The tablets can be used as means of interaction and communication at work. They can also aid in intervention and cure. Apps for improving attention and focus through visual aids go a long way in helping children and adults alike. Other applications that can help track and organize the events of the day (like good and bad moments) can help in learning the missing organizational skills. Then there are applications that can simulate social interactions, prompt the user for a reaction, and tell them how good or bad their decision was from a social standpoint, thus allowing them to make mistakes in a virtual scenario, rather than get into an embarrassing situation and feel further stressed. Giving a simple socio – emotional task like caring for a virtual pet can also help improve the users’ concentration and focus.
The unfortunate part is that a lot of the apps touting to help the autistic are not backed by any research, and may not be too helpful. Therefore, there is a tremendous scope of innovation and improvement here. As per Scott Standifer, Disability Policy & Studies, University of Missouri, "In the last few years, not only have smartphones emerged as a relatively inexpensive, handy, and low-stigma computing platform, new models have emerged to allow small-scale software developers to enter the national market". "There is so much potential, and we are only now beginning to learn how to tap into it." He said. Let us hope more focus towards this important healthcare challenge will lead to better options for patiens and caregivers.
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