Tech to the aid of autistic children
June 6, 2007, Shuchi Grover, India Together
A recent workshop in Bangalore, the "Computer Training Workshop For Children And Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders" is using computers and digital technologies to help autistic children. This article reports on the proceedings and outcomes of the workshop, which was attended by participants from as far as Chennai and Mumbai. The workshop was organised by Dr. Arun Mehta and Vickram Crishna, who together have developed software for Stephen Hawking as well as having experience teaching and creating software for the visually impaired. Trying to address the challenges posed by traditional input and output configurations of technology, the two were inspired by recent research on how video modelling and other multimedia digital technologies play a role in the learning and communication of children with autism and other disabilities. The workshop exposed parents and special educators to a range of hardware options and free and open source software tools to help autistic children and provided them a space to share experiences, with a commitment to stay connected through online groups and email exchanges.