iPhones Donated to Autism Center

Tue., Nov 15

Many people are familiar with the "education achievement gap" - the disparity in grades, test scores and educational level of students between higher and lower socioeconomic groups.

But often under the radar screen today is a different kind of education gap. The rate of high school graduates attending college is substantially lower for those with an autism spectrum disorder, even those without an intellectual disability. In fact, 62 to 69 percent of high school students in the United States pursue post-secondary education, compared with 50 percent for those with an autism spectrum disorder who do not have an intellectual disability, according to a July 2010 article in the Journal of Autism and Development Disorders.

Fortunately, the technology boom that has exploded throughout the country has the potential to reduce that education gap, as well as increase the number of individuals with a form of autism to live a more independent and productive life, according to Ruth Eren, director of the Center for Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders at Southern (pictured above with students).

In an effort to increase the awareness of the latest technological advances, the center recently coordinated a symposium, "Autism, Transition and Technology," which attracted nearly 100 people. The symposium, co-sponsored by AT&T, highlighted the current trends in technology and research. AT&T recently donated 15 iPhones to the center for research purposes in a joint effort to help improve technology for those with an autism spectrum disorder.

"We believe that technology has the potential to do for individuals on the autism spectrum what the wheelchair has done for people with physical disabilities," Eren says. "It can help them lead more productive, fulfilling and independent lives. Teachers and others in education are aware of many of the developments within the classroom, but this symposium will look at the technology that is going on both inside and outside the classroom."

Eren says technology advances, such as iPhones, iPads and iPrompts have the ability to help those with autism lead more independent lives.

Peter Gerhardt, director of education for the upper school at the McCarton School in New York City, served as the symposium's keynote speaker. He serves as chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research and is on the advisory board of the Autism Society of America.
Other speakers included Avi Glickman, program director at Preparing Adolescents for Adult Life in Downington, Penn., and Megan Wilson, a special education teacher and assistive technology specialist at the Amity Middle School in Orange.

Barbara Cook, coordinator of training for the Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders, says it is becoming increasingly important for those with an autism spectrum disorder to be able to live independently. State funding for financial assistance is becoming more limited, especially with the stagnant economy. 

"The most important thing is improving the quality of life for these individuals," Cook says. "You can't put a price tag on that. But it also helps the state financially if more people are able to work productively."

Lee Mabie, a marketing director for AT&T, says that the technology is improving and that further enhancements are bound to continue.

"With the proliferation of consumer mobile devices that have the ability to serve as augmentative communication devices, people with autism now have cheaper and sometimes far more robust options to meet their communication needs," Mabie says. "Additionally, the mobile software development community has created a variety of apps that can assist the consumer to live a more independent life, such as picture schedulers and video models."

The center was launched two years ago to focus on three avenues: the training of current and future educators and professional staff in the best practices of teaching students with any of the autism spectrum disorders; practical autism research designed to benefit these students, and direct service through such activities as evaluating children, conducting clinics and holding special events.