Technology assists children with autism

This success has driven IGT (formerly GTECH) to provide an additional ten iPads to Autism Place, as part of IGT’s continued effort to assist those in need through the use of technology.

An initial donation of five iPads complete with software, screen protectors and hard cases was made to the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ASTT) by IGT in 2012.

“By using the iPads, members of staff have found them to be an effective and engaging learning tool, which is used to improve motivation, engagement and learning outcomes for persons with autism,” explained Boodoo referring to IGT’s initial donation.

Among the many who have benefitted from the iPads is a young boy, who attends the Autism Place, whose severe anxiety has been reduced whenever his mother leaves his side. This was achieved through the use of a new app called iMovies.

In March, Kari Dunn-Buron, an Autism Educator and Specialist from Minnesota, USA demonstrated the use of the app which she used to create a social story in the form of a video modelling for the boy.

“Self-modelling” is a form of observational learning in which individuals observe themselves successfully performing activities on video, and then try to imitate the targeted behaviour.

Dunn-Buron took short video clips of the child engaged in activities without his mother’s presence.

She then videotaped his mother leaving saying, “Bye, see you later” and re-entering the building saying, “I am back.” Segments of the video clips of the boy crying were edited, and within minutes the video was presented to the family to look at together, to demonstrate how self-modelling through the use of the video could help their child to regulate his emotions when his mother was not present.

The child is shown the video repeatedly thereby reinforcing the message that although his mother has to go to work, he can still have fun with his toys until she returns.

Now, when the boy arrives at the Autism Place, he is able to undertake his activities without crying for his mother.

These donations were made possible through IGT’s After School Advantage (ASA) Programme.

This long-standing initiative provides non-gove rnmental organisations (NGOs) with new computer equipment and specialised educational software to help children as young as five years old become more computer literate.

This philanthropic initiative is meant to provide an otherwise unavailable educational experience and bridge the digital divide among educational institutions and the community.

“The reality is that autism does not discriminate since it affects children around the world. IGT’s donation of these iPads to the Autism Place is an acknowledgement that we must all do our part in creating an environment that aids communication among those affected by autism,” said Ann- Dawn Young Sang, IGT’s Regional Vice President for the Caribbean.

President of the Autistic Society of Trinidad & Tobago, Teresina Sieunarine said, “I am very thankful for the support and interest that the IGT family has given to the ASTT. They have shown that they are committed to helping children with autism through the use of technology, by providing iPads for use in our Centres. It has been proven that technology is quite effective in assisting children on the autism spectrum, as the iPad can be used as a visual support to facilitate learning, improve communication, increase independence, reduce anxiety and improve behaviours.” She added, “Technological aids like the iPad are expensive and the ASTT would not be able to finance this wonderful initiative, so thanks again to IGT.”