Technology and Autism

The world of artificial intelligence has impacted many areas at large, with one of them being autism. With the help of technology, it has become easier for professionals to assist children on the autism spectrum. For instance, doctors find it easier to detect early signs of autism based on behavior analysis while parents can explore various therapy options.

Artificial Intelligence is the world of computers, where each computer program builds off algorithms and experimentations with code. AI is used everywhere from online shopping to digital personal assistants. In the world of medicine, technology has long evolved from being digital computers to conducting major surgeries with simple mechanisms. AI has come to help doctors better understand their patient’s health and design treatment plans for health concerns which were once considered deadly. Although AI is designed by humans and therefore can be liable to failures, it includes benefits of accurate diagnosis and analysis that far outweigh the drawbacks.

There are a variety of ways for parents to utilize visual support, which can either be made at home or accessed on programs and apps. For example, parents can take photos or cut out print media to arrange visual support appropriate to their child’s needs. Parents and children may then use those visual strategies, such as visual timetables and token boards, to identify each activity with a certain picture and show sequential steps. Using such visual strategies will allow for children to improve their visual motor skills and thereby coordinate movement, improve perception, and develop visual processing skills.

For those on the autism spectrum, technology can help by developing core skills and designing therapy options. For example, children and parents can utilize apps and other tools to further communication skills. Such apps provide verbal cues and offer tips on how to converse at one’s ease. Parents can also design visual tools to approach motor skills in their children. These gadgets will help children foster abilities while staying comfortable in their surroundings. Apart from using technology to determine at-home care options, parents can also find effective therapies for their children. AI allows many therapists to showcase their services through the internet, and parents can make use of search engines to find the right care offered for their children. The algorithms used to design AI provide results in a matter of seconds, letting parents make a quicker and easier choice of therapy. By using technologies offered by AI, children on the autism spectrum can have access to innovative care within their reach.

Researchers are attempting to further apply AI in the autism spectrum by formulating tests to predict autism at an early stage. A recent study used electroencephalograms (EEG), which record brain activity, to develop a classification system of detecting autism. By using nonlinear, distinguishable features to obtain EEG signals from children on the autism spectrum and children who do not have autism, the study found that three significant features could be predictive of autism. Researchers are now embarking to develop a cloud-based system to interpret EEG signals in order to discover signs of autism in children.

“Who do you think made the first stone spears? The Asperger guy. If you were to get rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon Valley.”
- Dr. Temple Grandin