Little Computers Yay!

by Dora Raymaker · 2009-05-24 09:35:00 UTC
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from the top left a man's hand writing with a stylus on a tablet pc, below that is a white table, and on the table is a second tablet pc. the tablet pcs are flat rectangles with silver boarders; inside is the screen. whatever is on the screen is not visible in the photoThe plaintive question of an autistic kindergartner Did you get my little computer back yet? is the title of an article on kids using a Convertible Classmate computer. Convertible Classmate is a hearty tablet PC.

So how did it help, aside from being really cool? Among the younger kids, it was most helpful for the students on the autistic spectrum. Both the tablet functionality (responsive to fingers and a stylus) and the keyboard were very helpful to students whose motor skills make writing very difficult. The teachers and aides also reported that the interface itself helped keep the kids engaged in writing and reading assignments when attention may otherwise have been an issue.

I recall trying to watch a video (trying because it was somewhat offensive) on the uses of PDAs for people on the spectrum--alas, my memory failed me on re-finding that video, but a google search for "pda autism assistive technology" turns up 6,670 (most of them actually relevant sounding!) results. PDAs are a pretty big deal to me--I joke (although it's really not a joke) that my executive function lives in my PDA and my PDA is my "extra brains." It's not just that the PDA does a bunch of stuff like notifies me with alarms and reminders or displays a lovely color coded schedule--it's that all of these items are in the same place, on the PDA. Prior to using the PDA people would encourage me to use alarms, reminders, lists, schedules, etc. to help with executive function problems, but they couldn't quite grasp that keeping track of all those parts requires more executive function skill than I possessed: a catch-22. Only remembering one thing--my PDA--instead of many things--lists, reminders, timers, calendars, etc.--is far more do-able.

...not to mention that my PDA now also functions communication device.

For still more (and different) ideas on the autism/computer connection, check out the Autism and Computing site.

Getting back to the question in the initial article "Did you get my little computer back yet?", wouldn't it be best if people who could really benefit from a "little computer" (Convertible Classmate, a PDA, or otherwise) had constant access to such technology? It's time to start considering computers to be every bit as necessary assistive technology for some as a mobility device. Make sure those who need them can get them, and keep them (not only have them for use during school hours!).

Dora Raymaker
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