How Technology and Video Can Help With Autism
As we learn more about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it’s becoming increasingly obvious that early intervention and engagement can help children develop better social and learning skills. And with the right technology, it’s now possible to do more than ever before.
What is Autism Spectrum (News - Alert) Disorder?
According to American Psychiatric Association (APA), “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The effects of ASD and the severity of symptoms are different in each person.”
Signs and symptoms of ASD are typically presented in early childhood. Research shows that roughly one in 59 children have some degree of autism, which as the name suggests, is exhibited across a wide spectrum. Some people with autism are highly functional, while others require considerable physical, mental, and emotional care.
Warning signs and symptoms of autism include:
- Not making eye contact
- A disdain for physical touch
- Not understanding typical emotions/an inability to relate to their own feelings
- Unusual reactions to everyday things
- Repeating the same actions over and over
- Rarely responding to their own name
The APA reports that ASD is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. And when girls do have ASD, their symptoms are often less obvious than those of boys. And while it’s a lifelong condition, there’s reason to believe that early detection and treatment can go a long way in reducing the severity of symptoms.
The Importance of Early Detection
While there’s nothing that can be done to prevent or “cure” ASD, a growing body of research has shown that early intervention is able to enhance a child’s overall development and provide a better chance of a “normal” and well-socialized life.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) has supported numerous studies on the topic of early intervention and the results are promising.
“Children who receive autism-appropriate education and support at key developmental stages are more likely to gain essential social skills and react better in society,” ASDF reports. “Essentially, early detection can provide an autistic child with the potential for a better life.”
The problem, historically speaking, has been a lack of insights. In other words, the healthcare community has been slow to recognize early onset symptoms and, as a result, slow to provide proper intervention. But thanks to new technology and a greater understanding of what to look for, we’re beginning to see progress in this area.
3 Ways Technology is Being Used to Help With Autism
The role and importance of technology and video in autism shouldn’t be understated. Its importance runs deep and wide. Here are a few specific ways we’re seeing it leveraged:
- Video Solutions
There isn’t a medical test or scan that doctors can conduct to identify ASD. So much of the diagnosis is based on observation. And in order to get an accurate understanding of a child, these observations must be as natural and organic as possible. This is where video recording systems for autism studies, such as the VALT video system, come into play.
“VALT video is used in autism studies as a behavioral health observation, debriefing and training tool,” Intelligent Video Solutions mentions. “As an analysis tool for autism therapy, video allows the child to be observed remotely, with behaviors identified without the presence of an outside person in the room.”
Video can also be used for behavioral modification therapy. Unobtrusive cameras and microphones can be set up in rooms, which allows therapists and parents to work together to produce more detailed and sensitive outcome measures.
- Mobile Applications
While symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person, there are a number of mobile applications that are proven to support children and their parents with issues like social connections, fixation, motor skills, and repetitive behaviors. Here are a few:
- Endless Reader. While not necessarily an “autism-only” app, this app helps children recognize sight words and develop the skills needed to begin reading. It uses colorful and engaging imagery to keep kids entertained.
- Proloquo2Go. Designed for individuals who are nonverbal, this app promotes language development by using different pictures and images. The unique thing about this app is that it’s not only designed for those with ASD. It can also be used by family members, educators, and therapists.
- CommBoards Lite. This speech assistant app enables users to tap on images and hear different words and sounds pronounced aloud. This empowers children to build up a vocabulary to express their needs and verbalize thoughts over time.
- ABC Autismo. This fun app provides a wealth of educational activities in a variety of languages, including English, Portuguese, and Spanish. The app is based on the TEACCH methodology, which stands for Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communications Handicapped Children. It provides a fun and user-friendly platform for strengthening verbal communication skills and building confidence.
While the use of tablets and smartphones are often discouraged for children during early stages of childhood development, this is an instance where it can actually provide much-needed intervention inside the home and in conjunction with formal therapy.
- Wearable Devices
Wearable devices are another interesting area where technology can provide meaningful support for individuals and families dealing with ASD. And while there’s still a need for more innovation in this space, there’s one interesting tech to keep an eye on.
Google (News - Alert), which ultimately concluded that its “Glass” product – eyeglasses containing a combination of a camera and computer display – wasn’t quite ready for mass acceptance, has now pivoted to provide a solution for those with ASD.
Renamed Superpower Glass, the technology helps young individuals with ASD overcome some of the social challenges associated with decoding facial expressions. And while it’s still in the early stages of development, there are some positive signs that technology like this could provide hope.
Adding it All Up
Technology often gets a bad rap (in terms of childhood development), but this is one area where it’s doing more good than harm. Leveraged appropriately, the right systems and tools can help us understand, diagnose, and even treat autism. It’ll be exciting to see what the next decade has in store for innovation and execution!
