The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

From blogging to Twitter to Skyping, online conversations have benefits for both the student and teacher as a new and unconventional tool for teaching. What adolescent student these days does not use, if not rely on, online computerized programs to augment their expansive social networks? Most are notorious and quite skilled at communicating via Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Ichat and other online communication methods. For students with autism spectrum disorders, this form of social connectedness is often highly preferred over real-life, face-to-face interactions due to the safety and distance afforded by a computer screen. And because interactions via computer virtual environment (CVE) technology tend to be slower than face-to-face interactions, youth with autism, for whom social awkwardness often has implications, have the time and space to process virtual interactions and generate alternative ways of dealing with particular situations.

Instructors and support people alike can take advantage of this millennial-age reality by integrating online learning into their programming for students on the autism spectrum. Along with other communication and educational programs available for free on the Net (blogs, Skype, Twitter, Prezi, Radio Lab, NY Times/Bank Street, etc.) it is easy to have idea exchanges and conversations across geographical areas. For the student with ASD, the comfortable distance that the computer screen provides between teacher and student can make the difference between apathy and motivation or defiance and compliance.

The presenters use Skype and online role-playing modules to communicate with college students, not only to monitor academic issues but also to support the co-curricular and social aspects of college life. Video conferencing allows for intimate observation and monitoring of students' independent living skills in their residence halls and apartments without physically entering their space. Consequently, the support person can gain valuable information while still maintaining professional boundaries by being off-site, enhancing the student's sense of independence. In addition, using Google applications like Google Wave and Google Calendar allow for real-time sharing of schedules, grades, papers, projects and assignments between student and support person to review and edit simultaneously.

The presenters and a college student located on the east coast will demonstrate how using webcam technology, online role-playing modules and related applications can enhance academic and social supports for students on the autism spectrum.