MANILA, Philippines – QUESTION: I have a seven year-old son who has autism and he loves computers. But his love for computers gets in the way of in his studies. I’ve already heard of technology-assisted learning for kids and online education for special children. Do you recommend online education to children with autism? If so, do you know any program online that will best suit my child? Thanks for the help.

Teacher Genevieve says: Technology, when used wisely, can be an efficient tool to augment learning in children with autism.

Being visual learners, children with autism can be motivated to learn using graphic presentations and digital tools. Interactive e-learning activities can provide the necessary practice for mastery learning, without the repetitiveness and redundancy of paper-pencil drills that often lead to frustration in the child with autism. Effectively utilizing assistive technology has been cited as a “best practice” in educating children with special needs.

THE SPECIAL LEARNER IN THE 21ST CENTURY

In the past, students were viewed as “information absorbers” and the teacher as the “source of all knowledge.” With advances in technology, students are now considered as “information navigators” and the teacher as a “facilitator for acquiring knowledge.” More than simply receiving knowledge, students are now expected to have greater responsibility over their own learning and are expected to become lifelong learners.

For children with autism, ICT (Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be a useful medium to acquire knowledge and practice newly-learned skills. There are softwares available to target reading, math, communication and life skills; while there are links to e-learning sites that can target academic and functional skills using interactive games.

However, as with all children, care must be taken to supervise your child’s behavior online, safeguarding access to prohibited sites and avoiding self-disclosure to strangers. A child with autism can be particularly vulnerable to internet predators.

COMPUTERS AND THE CHILD WITH AUTISM

If the child becomes fixated on using the computer for extended lengths of time, then he will not develop holistically as an individual, particularly in the areas of verbal communication, social interaction, and practical life skills. Computers can never replace real life learning wherein “meaning” is naturally created in the context of everyday life experiences and interactions with people.

Simulations never equal “learning by doing.”

Therefore, the use of computers for learning in children with autism can be both helpful and detrimental, depending on how they are used and for what purpose. Your child’s interest in computers can be optimized by using assistive technology as one of the vehicles for learning, but not as the main avenue for learning. It can also be used as a motivator or a form of reinforcement for positive behavior (e.g. use of computer for 1 hour a day after finishing his homework). Computers should not rule the child, but there should be rules in using the computer, mutually agreed upon by you and your child.

Given the wide range of characteristics and diversity of needs of children with autism, it is prudent to refrain from recommending a specific software or internet resource that would benefit your child. Like all other teaching methods, strategies and tools, there is no “one size fits all” that would equally benefit all children.

Matching the need to the strategy while optimizing inherent strengths is the challenge that every parent and educator should face to bring out the best in every child. Aim to strike a balance between making the most out of computers to aid learning, while ensuring that computers do not take the place of developmentally-appropriate and concrete learning experiences that would help your child succeed in this age and time.

The author is the executive director of ALRES-PHILS. and the chairperson of the SPED Department of Miriam College. A pediatric physiotherapist and special educator, she is currently pursuing her doctorate studies majoring in Special Education at U.P. Diliman. She is a staunch advocate for children with special needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our SPED specialists. Just send your queries to MByouthsection@gmail.com