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HOW
ADULTS WITH AUTISM UTILIZE THEIR COMPUTERS
By Valerie Herskowitz, M.A. C.C.C.-SLP |
Reprinted from the ADVOCATE Newsletter of the Autism Society of America, Inc.
Nov-Dec 1997. |
Ask most adults these days, and they will tell you that their computer is an essential part of their life. I certainly include myself in that category. These individuals report that they use the computer for many different reasons. Common leisure functions include writing letters, keeping monetary records, playing games, making greeting cards, and meeting new people and learning new information via the Internet. Work functions are too numerous to name. Being immersed in the world of autism as I am, I became curious as to how adults with autism or Aspergers Syndrome (AS) utilize the computer.
Adults with autism or AS live in different settings and demonstrate varying levels of skills. These parameters seem to impact upon the way these individuals use their computers.
Peaceful Haven Ranch, located in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a residential community for adults with developmental delays. Due to the generosity of a South Florida individual, this facility has recently acquired a computer for its residents. Shelly Larrivee, the director of the ranch, states this new acquisition will afford most of these adults their first computer experience. Initial goals for most of these people will be simplistic in nature: increasing attention span and learning beginning computer skills. After this skill is met and once the facility obtains more computer programs, goals will be directed to learning both academic and functional skills.
Many adults with autism AS live in their own homes or with family members. Often these households have the luxury of owning their own computer system. Through my Internet connections, I have had the opportunity to communicate with many of these individuals or the family members of these people. I asked several of the members of my extended Internet family to write me (via e-mail, of course) and explain the different ways that they or their adult children with autism or AS utilize their computer:
Keri, an adult with AS utilizes her computer for many different functions:
"I use my computer for:
1) communicating
2) learning
3) entertainment
4) keeping records of finances and automatic bill paying
5) answering the telephone and recording messages
6) additional cues for medications, appointments
I communicate with my therapist by e-mail as part of therapy. I engage in e-mail communications with others, some are disabled and others are not. I interact on the SJU(St Johns Autism Mailing List) list and receive ANI-L digest form list. I use the Internet to gather information about health issues, nutrition, and to get recipes. I learn using my computer how to relate better with people by observing and interacting. I learn from downloading material to read. I play games on the computer and play music also, for fun. I have Microsoft Money to help manage finances, though I do not directly manage money (I am assisted through a linked computer program by a case manager). My computer works like an answering machine and screens all calls. It displays caller ID, allows me to answer or record message.
My computer is programmed to alert me (both sound and display) to medication times and appointment times. Soon it will deliver these cues to me regardless of where I am through a watch-like device linked to it! The watch beeps and displays information!"
Howard Licker, a 41 year old man with AS (undiagnosed), and also the father of a 15 year old son with AS, reports that he bought his computer last year to help his sons with school work. He personally uses it for playing games and for informational purposes. He states, "If I had not purchased it, I would not have any information about AS. Our local library has nothing and the doctors could not help either. When I discovered the OASIS website, all the information I needed was at my fingertips."
A 31 year old professional copywriter, who reports that he is either autistic, or more likely has Aspergers, just acquired his computer about a month or so ago. His plans to utilize his computer for both professional and leisure activities: "I intend to use it for writing-hopefully, some freelancing in order to make extra cash. And, of course I play the odd video game that I¹ve downloaded from the Web. I also use e-mail to communicate with a friend in New York."
For some individuals, the computer has been the key element that has enabled these people to be independent. A woman with undiagnosed autism writes that she has been unable to work outside the home, but maintains a wonderful job as the content provider for a major World Wide Web Site. " This job allows me to pay the rent and never leave the house. I have no social contact; all the work is done via e-mail. I would be in real financial trouble if I didn¹t have my computer."
There is no doubt that the Internet has opened up vast opportunities for many autistic or AS adults for both work and leisure. However, for some, the most important function of their computer has been the ability to communicate with other autistic individuals and other parents of autistic people. Dave was diagnosed as AS in April 1994 when he was 46 years old, subsequent to his 12-year old son¹s AS diagnosis. At that time, he was on long-term disability. When discussing the importance of the computer in his life, he beautifully sums up this common thread I so often hear: " This contact has enabled me to share my experience with others, which has been useful in parents gaining a better understanding of autism. It has also given me a sense of belonging to the "autistic community" which I had never before had."
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Ms. Herskowitz is also a speech and language computer software consultant and is available to answer any questions that you may have regarding these programs or any other speech, language, or communication matter as it relates to autism. You can reach her at: Dimensions: Speech, Language, and Learning Services 481 E. Mount Vernon Drive Plantation, Florida 33325 1-800-99SPEECH (997-7332) www.dimensionsspeech.com
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