Specialisterne: leveraging the unique skills of Autistics at competitive market terms

[Visionary7903]

‘Niche construction’ (http://thomasarmstrong.com/blog/2010/03/02/a-key-set-of-resources-for-neurodiversity-assistive-technologies/) is the term Dr. Thomas Armstrong uses for modifying an environment (creating a ‘niche’) to adapt to each unique brain. Assistive technologies represent important resources to help accomplish these environmental modifications.

Dan Tedesco, a keynote speaker at the 2011 Autism Works National Conference, believes that mobile computing will be the key to true, comprehensive integration for those with social and cognitive challenges. In the future, applications will be dreamed up, that will comprehensively integrate people with developmental challenges into the workplace and beyond. For the first time in history, an inexpensive handheld, wirelessly networked gadget can be carried by everyone with a developmental disability - as well as their caregivers, coaches and supervisors. Tedesco, an attorney at Walker Digital, a Stamford, Connecticut-based research and development company, believes that handheld assistive technologies will play a profound role in aiding those with Autism to ultimately excel in occupational settings…

…The explosive adoption of the smart phone in recent years has profound implications to the special needs population. While voice output and picture-based communication applications already open doors for many individuals by lowering costs and stigma, a much broader revolution is just beginning. Innovators are exploring the unprecedented power of the next generation of inexpensive, highly customizable handheld devices. They are dreaming about the applications which will comprehensively integrate people with social and cognitive challenges into the workplace and beyond…

Among the dominant players for disability apps in the smartphone market that Tedesco speaks about, is Apple. Apple’s iOS software is the operating system that powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Indeed Apple’s iPad has been especially welcomed in schools as a helpful tool in teaching communication and organisational skills to Autistic children. The portable, table-top solution is ideal for Autistic children, who can easily use applications (apps) designed to work on Apple’s iOS software. There is no reason why the iPad could not work well with Autistic adults as well…

…Anissa Hersh, a speech-language pathologist on the [Autism Spectrum Disorders] team at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board [in Ontario, Canada], says she’s interested in seeing how the device might benefit the students she works with as well.

“You have a whole generation of adults now who were never taught independence,” Ms. Hersh says. “If you have this technology, and know how to use it, the idea is that down the road, [they] can use it in their work field…”

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has recognised the potential of assistive technologies to help in the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities in the public and private sectors. To that end, ODEP has created a technology initiative, which includes the following:

• a free online educational series on accessible technology; and
• a disability-related application challenge, designed to generate innovative tools that will improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities.

(sources: A Key Set of Resources for Neurodiversity: Assistive Technologies | Dr. Armstrong’s Blog; 404 Not Found; 404 Not Found; Autism Podcast: Episode 97 | Dan Tedesco and the AutismTrack iPhone/iPad app; For autistic kids, iDevices are life changers - The Globe and Mail; (http://www.dol.gov/odep/))