Using Assistive Technology to Teach Emotion Recognition to Students With Asperger Syndrome: A Pilot Study


The summary from the study says it all:

“Many individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) have difficulty recognizing emotions in themselves and others. The present pilot study explored the use of assistive technology to teach emotion recognition (ER) to eight children with ASC. Participants were between the ages of 8 and 11 years and had a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (AS). ER testing was conducted using a computer at pre- and postintervention. The intervention consisted of 10 weeks of using the computer software Mind Reading: The Interactive Guide to Emotions[TM] in either home or school settings. The results indicated that after intervention, participants improved on face and voice ER for basic and complex emotions that were in the software, as well as for complex voice ER for emotions not included in Mind Reading. The implications of these findings are discussed.”

Click on the link below for further reading:

via ERIC Record: EJ771561.

Asperger’s Syndrome and Technology (Do they coexist? I think so.)


Autism Spectrum Disorders, specifically that of the Aspergers Syndrome Disorder, came to the forefront of my life when my son, who is now sixteen, was finally diagnosed as an Asperger (Aspie) patient late last year.  I say finally because for the previous, say 12 years, I knew something was “different” about him, but had the hardest time convincing doctors of every type of speciality (neurologists, psychologists, etc.) what it was.

Without getting into the specifics about the educational and medical battles I’ve endured in this post, I wanted to focus on the fact that since he is now properly diagnosed (in my opinion), how technology plays a pivotal role in his development as well as a hinderance.

My family has become accustomed to the term “as well as” when it comes to our Aspie.  I’ve found that with the help of support groups, reading, reading, and more reading, and just by being more open to talk about the subject, I’ve been able to manage my frustrations with some things and patience with others as we continue on this journey of awareness and tolerance.

I came across an article from a few years back that touches on this very question.  Take a read and let me know your thoughts.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9072119/Asperger_s_and_IT_Dark_secret_or_open_secret_#disqus_thread

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