Technology for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders,2015

Technology for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders provides readers with an in-depth look at the characteristics of learners with ASD and explains how different forms of technology can be used to create learning opportunities for autistic students. The book is both an academic and practical to appeal to multiple audiences: researchers, parents, teachers, and therapists.

Most literature on teaching children with ASD advocates for the use of schedules, structure, individualized instruction, techniques for transitioning, strategies for reducing problem behaviors, systematic instruction, vocational skill development, appropriate reinforcement, and environmental support. Specifically, designing learning environments that include these carefully crafted elements can address deficits in the areas of communication/language, behavior, and social skills. However, there is very little in the current educational literature which speaks to the types of academic activities that should be developed and used to help children with ASD gain skills in core academic areas, such as reading, writing, effective communication, and mathematics. This book fills that void by including sample academic activities—explaining strategies for working with children diagnosed with ASD, and examining ways a variety of technology tools can be used to both build skills and improve learning and understanding in children with ASD.

Demetria Ennis-Cole is an Associate Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas. She has degrees in Computer Science and Curriculum & Instruction (emphasis area: Computer Education). She worked in industry as a Programmer for International Business Machines and spent 6 years at Louisiana State University as a Computer Analyst before she accepted a faculty position with The University of North Texas. She is a member of several state, national, and international organizations including The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and The International Society for Technology in Education. Her research interest focuses on Technology Utilization by Special Populations (Mature Adults, Children in the Primary Grades, and Children in the Autism Spectrum). She is the director of the Technology and Applied Research in Autism Laboratory (http://tara.unt.edu) where she plans and implements technology enhanced interventions for young children in the Autism Spectrum.