Introduction

Autism is a wide spectrum of neurological disorders that impacts communication and social skills and prompts limited and repetitive behavior patterns.

According to the WHO, one in 160 children worldwide suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

What is the need for technological assistance?

People with Autism don’t display obvious signs such as physical disability which makes it is very difficult to identify their issues.

It is also very crucial to assist them in many walks of life using assistive technology, including: communication, drawing, reading & writing, Learning, social skills, managing schedules and other daily activities.

While there is no ‘cure’ for autism, there have been various advancements in technology that have alleviated some of the problems faced by both children and adults with Autism.

Different types of Assistive Technologies

There are various Assistive technologies that are being employed worldwide to enhance communication for people with autism, regardless of speech ability:

1. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

PECS is a commonly used method for developing communication skills for those with ASD.

It has successfully been implemented with teenagers of all ages to help overcome various communication and cognitive challenges. PECS utilizes collections of image cards representing different activities, things and feelings etc.
PECS consists of six phases:

• How to communicate

• Distance and Persistence

• Picture discrimination

• Sentence structure

• Responsive Requesting

• Commenting

These skills bolster functional communication and may even help some children develop speaking skills.

Children begin at the first stage by showing their partner a picture of something they desire. Their requests are immediately fulfilled.

With the progress of time, students arrange pictures into sentences. From there, they learn how to use modifiers, initiate conversations and answer questions.

CommBoards

CommBoards is an application that works on the Picture Exchange Communication System.

This app makes this method of communication widely accessible, without the hassle of hauling around cards, pieces, or a gadget other than your computer or cellphone.

When children use the app, the program utters the word the picture represents loudly.

This encourages the child to repeat the word and learn how to pronounce it. You may also create customized cards with your own voice samples and images.

2. Visual Boards

People with ASD tend to learn better with visual teaching methods such as Visual boards or sign language as it helps better in retaining information.

Visual supports can be pictures, objects, sign language or text. Visual boards aid children with autism in displaying their feelings, preferences and also help them understand schedules and rules.

Visual boards comprise of a set of pictures children can point to or put in sequence. Visual boards can grow a child’s skill level.

As the child learns, the board can be adjusted by including more complex images.

Sometimes, images are attached to the board using adhesives so children can arrange them into their desired schedule or place the appropriate image after a question e.g. What is your favorite food?.

Popular Visual board programs include Mayer Johnson’s Boardmaker, PictureSET and Visual Suite DVD.

3. Speech Generating Devices

Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) are software applications and gadgets that generate speech from written inputs or icons. Speech may be generated from recorded human voice or be synthesized.

The device may be able to store simple short messages or lengthy messages, depending on the device’s complexity.

By using these devices, people with speech and communication impediments can learn to communicate effectively without having to put in frustrating efforts.

SGDs are of different types, and some are customized for a specific age group or ability. With regards to the device’s working, the child touches an icon or picture on the device’s display screen.

The device utters the word/phrase the picture symbolizes. For instance, touching a picture of a chocolate may prompt the device to say, “I want to eat a chocolate.”

Some other types of devices allow you to record a voice as well besides in-built voices.

Some Platforms that use Speech Generating Devices are:

Proloquo2Go

Proloquo2Go by Assistiveware contains over 10,000 words. It is easy to customize for physical or cognitive needs and can be customized in different languages. Compatible with iOS devices; costs $250.

TouchChat HD

TouchChat HD by Prentke Romich Company and is available in English and Spanish options. It allows the user to choose a voice that fits their personality. Compatible with Android & iOS; costs $150.

QuickTalker23

The QuickTalker FeatherTouch 23 speech device provides multi-message communication that is highly portable, durable, and convenient to use.

In the device, three messages are common to each recording level and you can record common requests that your child might need like "I need help", "I need to use the washroom", and "I'm hungry". When your child is watching TV, you may record messages like “look”, “I like it”, “Change the channel”.

4. Assistive Learning Systems

Autism affects the manner in which a child processes sound, which creates hurdles in socialization and learning. Assistive listening devices (ALD) help children with autism hear and process information more distinctly.

Many assistive tools may help people who have difficulty processing and memorizing verbal language. Such devices can be used in many environments including classroom, or a meeting with multiple speakers.

Electronic math worksheets are software applications that can help users with autism sort, align, and solve mathematics questions on a computer screen.

These mathematical numbers that display on the screen can be read aloud via an in-built speech synthesizer, proving helpful to people who experience difficulty in solving math problems with paper and pencil.

These devices can be combined with word processing to allow the user to create and re-use abbreviations for frequently used words.

Platforms that use Assistive Learning Systems include:

AutismXpress:

AutismXpress aids people with autism in recognizing and expressing emotions with gestures and facial expressions. There are 12 buttons with cartoons representing emotions like jolly, sad, hungry, angry etc.

AutismXpress is  primarily built to help children with autism in learning, but it can also be useful for adolescents and adults. This is a free to download application.

5. Talking Word Processor

Talking Word Processors provide speech feedback, which means that the individual with autism can hear what they’ve written.

This gives important feedback which helps bolster comprehension, listening and organization skills. EnableMart’s Talking Word Processor is an excellent tool for this purpose.

The product description reads “Talking Word Processor is an easy-to-use, fully-functional word processor with text-to-speech capability.

It's compatible with all standard word processor files including the latest versions of Microsoft Word, standard text, and Rich Text Formats”.

A Platform based on Talking Word Processor is the Aut2Talk, which is a mobile application keyboard for people with autism or conditions like strokes, and know how to type.

There are multiple features in Aut2Talk, including a customizable list of names, feelings, needs, pronouns, word endings and a unique keyboard.

This app is compatible on both iOS and Android devices, and is quite beneficial for children aged 6 to 17.

An App for TBI and PTSD Survivors: LightBridge

People who have suffered traumatic brain injury or stroke also experience difficulty in everyday tasks. They feel difficulty in maintaining focus on their activities which is quite consuming.

Even tasks such as eating, drinking and driving that we consider so trivial that we perform them sub-consciously are a daunting task for people who suffer from brain trauma.

In order to alleviate their problems and make daily life manageable, Walturn created LightBridge.

Survivors usually exhibit signs of difficulty regulating emotions, inability to deciphering complex situations and a lack of confidence.

Therefore, the goal was to create a Mobile Application that includes a list of daily tasks and healthy activities that the user would perform.

This would encourage good habits, help them keep track of their daily activities and also inculcate self-confidence.