CAJ#11_Microsoft helps children with autism to interact

Like I have already mentioned in one of my last posts, there is a very high number of people, especially children, with Autism in the area of the Silicon Valley. With the support from Microsoft External Research, two U.S. academic researchers are developing mobile device software that enable individuals with autism to communicate more effectively.

We already know that people with autism tend to process information visually. That is why educators and therapists have adopted various approaches to teaching communication skills to students with autism through the use of picture cards. Academic researchers learned that users of picture-based communication methods often struggle with managing a three-ring binder full of paper cars that are easily misplaced, damaged or forgotten at home. Moreover, using the cards in public also can feel embarrassing, especially for older children and adults. That is why Microsoft External Research provided financial and software support to help the two academic researchers develop an electronic communication device.

Available as a free download from the project Website, the software works on any smartphone or personal digital assistant (PDA) device running the Microsoft Windows mobile operating system. The website includes a downloadable repository of more than 400 digitized picture cards in categories such as School, Home, People, Emotions and Food. Parents as well as teachers can also upload their own photographs to create new cards and share them with others. Plans for enhancing the software include linking it to a calendar so autistic children can view their daily routine in pictures, enabling the handheld device to play short video clips and adding sound messages to help children associate pictures with words.

Experts agree that the new device could help students with autism become more engaged in learning and help teachers provide more effective instruction. They are sure that if these kids can communicate their wants and needs more clearly, it will reduce their frustration and open the door for them to interact in a much wider sphere of social life. Plus it is on a cool little electronic device so kids love it anyway.