ICT and Autism There is no magic bullet !

ICT and Autism There are no computer programs that can 'cure' a person's autism, in fact there is very little software written for people with autism. What is available may only be useful if used as part of a wider curriculum.

ICT and Autism A computer program may be a useful supporting tool, but equally it may be useless and may in fact confuse and perplex the person with autism. It is vital to think carefully about computer usage and not assume that it is always the best way to learn or reinforce learning

ICT and Autism Allowing someone to 'play on the computer' is a great way to reduce their anxiety and distract them from disruptive or challenging behaviour. However this runs the risk of reinforcing disruptive behaviour as the person with autism learns that if they behave disruptively they will get to do a favoured activity.

ICT and Autism The fact that computers will reliably carry on doing the same thing over and over, means that for a person with autism they have an activity that they can do for very long periods of time. Some parents and carers have found it very difficult to get their child off the computer once a routine of using it for long periods has been established.

ICT and Autism Autistic children seem to have monotropic interest systems: their attention tends to be fixed on isolated objects which are viewed as though through a tunnel, apart from the surrounding context. Computers are an ideal resource to break into this world because they 'start where the child is', allowing cotropical interaction, by allowing others to join the individual's attention tunnel. External events can be more easily ignored when focusing on a computer screen as the area of concentration is limited to the bounds of the screen.

ICT and Autism Because computers offer a sometimes context-free environment in which many people with autism feel comfortable, therapists and teachers are increasingly using virtual reality tools to teach life skills, such as crossing the road, and social skills, such as recognising emotions in other people Advantages of Computers Software predictable and, therefore, controllable enable errors to be made safely offer a highly perfectible medium give possibilities of non-verbal or verbal expression.

ICT and Autism They can be an aid to effective communication, especially between the person with autism and the carer. They may motivate individuals with autism to speak (either to the computer or to another person), to read, or to show and share their achievements.

ICT and Autism Use of a computer is an interactive process, which can be enhanced by using two-person games. Not only do these foster an awareness of both self and other, but playing a computer game allows the person with autism to communicate with another person in a non- verbal environment and to learn social skills such as turn taking.

ICT and Autism Many people at the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum find that they are extremely good at jobs which involve computers. Many display highly specialised skills and areas of knowledge such as remarkable memory for facts and figures, and outstanding numerical ability. Task-oriented jobs in Information Technology and data processing can provide people with autism/Asperger syndrome an opportunity to maximise their potential at work.