Mainstream Technology Article Summary

It is estimated that one in every sixty eight children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (CDC, 2014). In schools around the country these students are struggling in their classroom environment due to deficits in three areas; communication skills, social skills, and repetitive behaviors or interest (Marder & Fraser, 2012). Implementing the use of technology in the classroom like iPad, iPod, android tablets, e-readers, and computers is beneficial to students with autism spectrum disorder. It can increase communication skills, can help make their classroom experience more pleasant, and it gives them the best chance at success.

In this artifact, I researched for alternative technological tool(see Assistive technology.doc) for students with disabilities to represent how technology could be a great assistance for them. This assignment represents how technology could be used by all students no matter what they need. Therefore, in this assignment, I looked for tools and ways to implement access to technology resources for students who have neuromuscular difficulties, and/or difficulties of counting with her finger to show that there are varieties of technological tool for all the needs.

It’s the 21st century and the world is experiencing an all time high in innovations in technology. These innovations in technology have helped the world break many communication barriers. Cellular phones make it easy to call anyone around the world with the press of a few buttons. Webcams and computers are used to help one video chat and send emails all in the matter of a few minuets. Due to these innovations many people with disabilities find it easier to communicate as well. This new technology has led to a greater acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities in society. For example, deaf people can use Facetime to call each other and sign through there. There also have been many applications developed for our hand held devices to

Technology has broadened and improved upon educational institutions in both normal and special education areas. There are a number of methods that can be utilized by assisting educators to instruct autistic children in order to help them thrive as they progress through their academic lives. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of technology that allows autistic spectrum disorder may be educated into adulthood to find meaningful jobs and possibly attend college and achieve a bachelor’s degree. Many autistic spectrum students find improvement on socialization is more copasetic when using technology, they are more comfortable utilizing methods such as text, being online, using games, videos, music, and digital learning applications.

The summary of this article is to look at using technology and how it can help students with disabilities to enhance and improve their independence in academic and employment responsibilities, their participation in classroom discussions, along with helping them to accomplish some difficult academic tasks. This article discusses the role and benefits of using assistive technology in the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), in academic skills, and in transition services. The article summarizes the important principles that are needed to be considered in the incorporation of technology in educating or training students with

The kinds of technology that are used to help show the meaning for the individuals with autism consist of Ipads and other tablet devices that are considered mobile.

There is a wide range of assistive technology for autistic students that allows them to thrive academically. Through assistive technology, students are actually able to learn independently, which reduces the need for one-on-one teacher support and can also assist their educational needs. Assistive technology benefits autistic children with its easy use, unique application, and its ability to improve educational academics, communication, and social skills.

Technology offers opportunities to children with disabilities by giving them treatment options that are mobile and affordable. Nowadays almost anything can be done on a tablet, computer, or smartphone. There are apps and tools online to help ones with an autism spectrum disorder get through

With new technology and advances in education it is no wonder the use of computers, iPads, and other devices are trickling into the daily life of our younger generations. Perhaps these advances could be doing more harm than providing the enriching education parents and schools think they are. There are now elementary schools where every child has their own iPad and middle schools with Chrome Books the students can take home. Even paper textbooks are being replaced with electronic versions. The use of technology moving forward with education needs to be balanced with critical factors involving a child’s development. Children must be separated from constant attachment to screens to properly learn and develop necessary social skills to become adults who are able to interact and communicate.

The first case of autism was diagnosed in 1943. Since this, the yearly amount of diagnosed cases has increased 1000%. As of 2013, 1 in every 120 girls and 1 in every 70 boys were born with autism. With the steady increase of autistic birth rates, it has become an important social issue. Since autism was first diagnosed, technology has progressed at a rapid rate. This technology is integrated into everyone’s daily lives. Autistic children in general are affected by technology in such areas as communication, learning and social integration. Which leads to the question: How does technology affect autistic children? This paper pursues an answer to this question through exploration and analysis of the existing research on the relationship between autistic children and technology.

Traditional methods of education can be a road block to a child’s learning. The goal of education is for a child to learn content, not for a student to learn how to operate the process of learning. Assistance technology provides a bridge for students who need modifications for operating the process in education. Essentially these consist of any devices that allow a child to work around their disability to learn. Though these tools are called assistance technology, they do not have to be overly sophisticated.

“Assistive technology and accessible educational materials create opportunities for students with disabilities to enjoy greater access and meaningful participation in the general education curriculum with their non-disabled peers.” (Schwab 3). It is very important that there are new ways discovered to make an individual feel like one who isn’t disabled, especially when dealing with a mental or intellectual disability. Almost every disability that we are familiar with we don’t know everything about. When scientists discover new ways to cope with a disability whether it be emotional, physical, or intellectual, they will have created a new piece of assistive technology and received more information concerning the disability. There will always be room for improvement when it comes to assistive technology, because it will continuously grow and change with the changing disabilities.

One has only to do a quick search on the Internet today to find a plethora of scholarly and anecdotal articles discussing the benefits of using iPads with autistic students. iPads have been claimed to increase communication skills, increase academic responding, and improve social skills in autistic individuals. While I have been interested in the work done by others in this field, until this past school year, I had had only had two students with Aspberger’s in my classroom, and both were my students some years before iPads made their debut in 2010.

Though students will be able to communicate using their devices, they must still be able to physically be present to participate and contribute to classroom activities as well. The use of wheelchairs and walkers are already sound Assistive Technology devices that would allow students with disabilities mobility. However, devices in this case are not enough to support a student with disabilities inside of a classroom. The classroom itself must also be structured in a way that supports an Assistive Technological driven class.

Assistive technology in the digital age goes beyond eyeglasses, canes and wheelchairs. The more high-tech kind includes newer technologies that made a particularly dramatic impact on education.