Autism Awareness Month: Apps Instill Behavioral Issues

By Vivian El-Salawy on April 9, 2016

My sister loves to swim. She loves to laugh and play tag with the waves. She loves to smile as she introduces all fifty of her stuffed animal friends to a new person. My sister is hilarious, caring, brilliant, and autistic.

Autism is a disorder characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulty in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Understanding autism as a “spectrum” is important for social awareness. Their disability isn’t always obvious.

While there are no cures for autism, there are many therapies from speech to occupational being offered for children with autism. Certain schools have specific programs for children who seek greater attention in communication skills and other developmental aspects.  While there are therapists, teachers, and aids offered outside of the home, technology has swept its way into many of the households affected by autism.

Image via Autism Center of Pittsburgh

Applications designed for Androids, iPhones, and iPads allow some form of interaction for autistic children at home.  While many of these applications serve educational purposes by helping instill knowledge of shapes, colors, spelling, counting, and so on, there are issues in terms of their implications, as well as access.  Many families have the impression that these applications are a cheaper way to get out of paying for therapy, however many of the relatively useful applications designed for children with autism cost between $250 to $300.  While these applications only have to be purchased once for unlimited usage and therapy sessions must be paid for each and every time, it is arguable that therapy sessions have a more positive effect on children with autism.

Image via New York Times

Furthermore, research conducted by Peter Mundy shows that in applications designed for children with autism, there is a significant disturbance in the social-emotional behavior of these kids.  In his “Joint Attention and Social-Emotional Approach Behavior in Children with Autism”, he explores the use of technology for children with autism and compares and contrasts it to other researchers’ works.  They all hold a similar claim on these applications: that they do not benefit children with high functioning autism in terms of behavior and social interaction.

Image via The Atlantic

These applications are effective under certain circumstances.  While they may benefit children with autism to an extent, they also serve as good alternatives for children to interact with something when family members are busy.  In other words, if nobody is present to interact with the child and actively read or play with them, these methods of virtual interaction serve as a useful option.  However, personal interactions between family members and their children, if available, is greatly favored over those of applications.

Home therapy is highly effective, as it allows for the formation of a stronger relationship between the child affected by autism and their family member(s).  These applications, rather than creating a connection between children and the world, pull them into a vortex away from reality.  Often times, this is the root of behavioral issues.  Children often get sucked into the screens of their devices and refuse to interact with their families when given the opportunity.  They begin to lose interest in what is outside and become obsessed with the colors and distractions at the palm of their hands.  Human interaction is the most valuable tool in bettering social and communication skills.  While applications can input information into the mind of a child, the lack of facial expressions, hand gestures, and other forms of visual and interactive positive/negative reinforcement greatly affects the progression of the child.

Image via www.icare4autism.com

While certain technological advancements are bringing tools to families affected by autism that could never be imagined, it is crucial to not let these technologies interfere with the level of interaction that families share with their children.  April is autism awareness month, and it is important to understand what autism is, who is affected by it, and how.  More importantly, without a currently existing purpose or cure, it is important for society to understand the true “spectrum” of autism and how they can contribute to the growth of the children affected by it.

Image via Autism Speaks

So be aware this month, as well as every month, that every person deserves to be treated with an understanding of who they are.  For more information, visit Autism Speaks.

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