Technology won’t change who an autistic person is, and it shouldn’t try to. Used well, it removes obstacles: to communicating, to getting through the day, and to understanding what is going on in the brain.
Communication tools
Augmentative and alternative communication, usually shortened to AAC, covers picture boards, tablet apps and speech-generating devices. A common worry is that AAC will stop a child from learning to talk. Research points the other way: giving a child a reliable way to communicate does not hold speech back, and often supports it. A speech-language pathologist can help choose and set up the right system.
Tools for daily life
- Visual schedules and timers that make the day predictable
- Noise-reducing headphones for loud places
- Reminder and task apps for teens and adults managing school or work
- Sleep and activity trackers that give parents and clinicians real data to work from
Tools still being studied
Virtual reality is being tested as a safe place to rehearse situations such as crossing a street or sitting a job interview. The early results are interesting, and it is not yet standard care.
Technology that looks at the brain
A qEEG brain map measures the brain’s electrical activity and shows how a particular brain is working. TMS uses magnetic pulses to influence that activity. At Reign-Bow we use the first to plan the second, and we repeat the map to check our work. TMS for autism is an off-label use with early-stage research behind it, so we treat it as one tool among many.
Choosing well
The best technology is the one that gets used. Start with the problem you most want to solve, try one thing at a time, and ask the professionals who know your child to help you judge whether it is working.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your own clinician about your child or yourself.