Technology Central

Mark has extensive knowledge in assistive technology that includes adapting curriculum, creating individualized technological curriculum using iWorks and iLife, and effectively harnessing standard curriculum with iPad/iPod Touch applications to create a seamless learning experience.

Didn't get a chance to see it? You can watch Mark's Webinar here!

Click here to see the webinar overview.

Click here to see the webinar slides.

Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), Evaluation and Treatment 
Kate Grandbois, MS, CCC-SLP

Kate Grandbois, MS, CCC-SLP's webinar was designed for families to learn about the different technologies that can help people with autism and how to request a Technology Assessment.

Kate is a certified and licensed speech and language pathologist who serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. Kate specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism and related neurological disorders, speech and language disorders, and social skills development.

Didn't get a chance to see it? You can watch Kate's Webinar here!

Click here to see the webinar slides.

Click here to see a list of key words for AAC Evaluations.

From Pictures to Technology: Creating an Environment for Language Learning, Communication, and Independence 
Jennifer Leighton, M.A., CCC-SLP

Jennifer Leighton, M.A., CCC-SLP hosted a webinar to teach how to create an environment for language learning, communication, and independence.

Jennifer joined the Cotting Consulting team at the Cotting School, in Lexington, Massachusetts, in May 2012. As part of this program Jennifer goes out to schools to teach strategies and best practices for technology integration and implementation, increasing staff comfort with higher-tech options. She provides staff education and therapeutic interventions.

Didn't get a chance to see it? Click here to see the webinar slides!

Autism Apps

We have compiled a database of hundreds of apps that have been recommended to us by families, individuals, and professionals in our community. The database contains information about platform, price, function, and a brief description of each app.

Click here to search our online Apps database!

Do you have a favorite autism app you'd like to add to this list? Please email a brief description of the App , platform, cost, age group, price and a link to FSDB@AutismSpeaks.org and we would be happy to share your recommendation with the Autism Speaks community!

Apps for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Click here to see a wheel-shaped list developed to provide apps based on common learning characteristics and traits that are typical for students with ASD.

Quick Feature Matching Checklist for iPad Apps 
In an effort to help select or rule-out a particular app a Feature Matching Checklist has been designed with the user in mind. It is quick, easy and includes the features that are important to children & students on the spectrum. By using the Feature Matching Checklist you can effectually wade through your choices to find the most suitable apps.
proactivespeech.wordpress.com

Autism Speaks Tech Initiatives

Hacking Autism
This is a site is a perfect place to develop ideas, solve problems and to hack autism! Hacking Autism doesn't seek to cure autism, but rather it aims to facilitate and accelerate technology-based ideas to help give those with autism a voice.
www.hackingautism.org

Innovative Technology for Autism

Autism Speaks Innovative Technology for Autism Initiative is supporting the development of therapies and assistive technologies by promoting collaboration among designers, engineers, scientists and individuals and families affected by autism. 


Its primary mission is to adapt and promote the use of available technologies, and spur the development of new technologies, in an interdisciplinary and creative way to facilitate applied research that directly impacts the growing needs of those with autism.
www.autismspeaks.org

AutismCares iPad Giveaway

In 2012, we awarded over 800 iPads to financially disadvantaged indivudals with autism through 2 giveaways, one for Autism Awareness Day and another for the holidays. We were able to award an iPad to at least one family in each of the 50 states.

iPad Grant Program Testimonials
We have heard wonderful feedback from the recipients about the many benefits their loved ones have experienced through the use of their iPads.

Click here to see a slide show of pictures and feedback!

Stay tuned in to the AutismCares website or sign up for our Community Connections newsletter for another giveaway in the coming months!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: We have a daughter with autism. She loves her computer and is very proficient at Web surfing and working with her camera and her photos. Unfortunately, she becomes so focused that she forgets her bedtime or when it's time to get ready for her bus in the morning. Is there a program that we can install on her computer that will flash a message at specific times to remind her that it's time to do a task?

A: There is indeed. In fact, you can find a bunch of alarm-clock programs online that can sound an alarm and flash a message on the computer screen. One of the best for Windows is Free Alarm Clock, from freealarmclocksoftware.com. It's easy to use, and allows you to set up multiple alarms for each day of the week. It comes with a selection of built-in alarm sounds, and you can use any music file on your computer. For Mac users, a good choice is Alarm Clock for Mac, a freebie from robbiehanson.com. It, too, can accommodate multiple alarms, and you can use anything in your iTunes library for an alarm sound.

News and Information

New! Video: "Strategies for Video Modeling with iPods and iPads"
Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/L, director of the Assistive Technology for Cognition (ATC) Laboratory at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) created a video to introduce strategies for using video modeling to help people with autism.

Now that iPod Touches and Tablet computers have onboard video cameras, it can be easy to build videos to assist with wayfinding, social cueing, task sequencing and behavioral prompting. This video introduces strategies for using video modeling for each of these purposes.

Check out the video here, and for more information from the VCU Autism Center for Excellence page on Technology and ASD, click here!

Insights to iPad Integration for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
specialneeds.com

The Apple iPod Touch as a vocational support aid for adults with autism: Three case studies
by Tony Gentry, Stephanie Lau, Alissa Molinelli, Amy Fallen and Richard Kriner

Autism SmartPhone Apps: How helpful are smartphone apps for children or adults with autism? 
A blog post by Andy Shih, PhD, Autism Speaks vice president for scientific affairs.

How Can Technology Help Me? Our Technology Guide
Marc Sirkin, Chief Digital Marketing Officer at Autism Speaks put together a guide for families that details what apps and devices are out there to support individuals with autism, both "therapeutic" and "applied". 

60 Minutes: Tablet Computers and Apps for Autism
On a fall 2011 episode of the CBS program 60 Minutes, Leslie Stahl reported on how people with autism are speaking and making breakthroughs with the help of technology.

Podcast on Virtual Reality Tools for Autism
In this “Autism Matters” podcast, Simon Wallace, Ph.D., discusses research on using immersive virtual environments to help children with autism. His related study is available online in the journal Autism.

"There's very little question that technology has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals with autism. Whether it involves helping them talk, keeping them safe or facilitating their inclusion in communities, people with autism are some of the greatest benefactors of the current technology boom."
- Peter Bell, Autism Speaks Executive Vice President, Programs and Services

Do you have a question you'd like answered? Email us at familyservices@autismspeaks.org and we are happy to help!