The pervasive influence of technology has come to support the daily lives of individuals with autism too. Apps and assistive devices become tools that prove resourceful in improving social, communication and educational skills.
Wondering how? There are apps and assistive devices to provide the necessary support in whichever field you need, from emotional to sensory regulation and more
Resource Apps: The world of apps is your oyster for articles and resources on autism and the range of therapies available. Parents or caregivers too can find plenty of strategies to develop a better understanding of individuals with autism.
Sensory Management Apps: If you worry about your child’s sensitivity to sensory stimuli or its overload these apps provide tactile, visual and auditory aids to regulate them.
Speech Therapy Apps: Children with difficulty or delay in speech or language skills can benefit immensely from apps that are designed using exercises and games.
Emotion Regulation Apps: You’d be amazed to see the range of activities from breathing exercises to mindfulness techniques, there are apps which have highly engaging tools for recognizing, understanding and managing emotions.
Communication Support: Those on the autism spectrum with limited speech abilities can use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps. Such individuals can use text-to-speech functions, symbols and other visual or auditory support to communicate their thoughts and emotions.
Social Skills Apps: Visual aids and language come to the rescue of individuals as they comprehend and navigate their way through everyday behaviors, routines and social scenarios.
Assistive Technology: Smart home devices and timers can also be used by individuals to follow a set routine or schedules.
Task and Chore Apps: Daily routines and responsibilities can be mamanged better by individuals with autism by using task and chore apps. This will instill organization skills and help them become independent.
Educational Apps: Cognitive skills, math, language and other activities related to academics can be developed through apps that have interactive lessons and games.
Token Economy Apps: Who doesn’t respond to positive reinforcement? Token economy apps can be used to set in place a token-based reward system. They are perfect to motivate individuals towards a goal-specific action.
Video Modeling Apps: Individuals with autism respond well to being able to watch and learn. Recorded videos demonstrating desired routines, behaviors and activities are used to impart the required lessons.
Calming Apps: Individuals with autism who struggle with sensory difficulties, anxiety or stress can be trained to use apps that provide interactive programs, calming sounds and visuals in order to cope.
Visual Scheduling Apps: Individuals with autism can use visual schedules to follow a routine which assures them of predictability and thereby reduces anxiety.
Behavior Tracking Apps: Track progress using apps for behavior intervention. They can provide patterns and recognise triggers, enabling caregivers to make the necessary changes and encourage development.
Behavior therapists like ourselves at Autism Intervention Specialists Dubai can also help you based on where your child needs guidance. Apps and assistive devices are amazing tools but keep in mind that they should be recalibrated depending on the needs and demands of your child.
