Technology and the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This volume analyzes recent technological breakthroughs in aiding children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chapters offer practical guidance in such areas as assessment, treatment planning, and collaborative intervention. The book also presents findings on hardware and software innovations and emphasizes their effectiveness in clinical practices that are targeted to specific cognitive, social, academic and motor skill areas. In addition, it describes promising new deficit-reducing and skill-enhancing technologies on the horizon.

Featured topics include:

• Developing and supporting the writing skills of individuals with ASD through assistive technologies.
• The ways in which visual organizers may support executive function, abstract language comprehension and social learning.
• Do-as-I’m-doing situations involving video modeling and autism.
• The use of technology to facilitate personal, social and vocational skills in youth with ASD.
• Evidence-based instruction for students with ASD.
• The use of mobile technology to support community engagement and independence.

Technology and Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential resource for clinicians and related professionals as well as researchers and graduate students across such disciplines as child and school psychology, rehabilitation medicine, educational technology, occupational therapy, speech pathology and social work.

Teresa A. Cardon, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, has worked with individuals on the autism spectrum for more than 20 years. Dr. Cardon completed her doctoral training in Speech & Hearing Science with an autism emphasis and is currently the Director of Autism Studies at Utah Valley University. Dr. Cardon has published her research on autism in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. Dr. Cardon’s first line of research focuses on video modeling with young children with autism. Her second line of research focuses on fictional narratives with character’s who have an ASD. She is the author of three books that offer intervention support for individuals on the autism spectrum: Top Ten Tips (2008), Initiations and Interactions (2006) and Let's Talk Emotions (2004).

“Teresa Cardon, as Editor of this volume, has addressed how technology, both hardware and software, can be used with individuals with Autism. … It provides an excellent review and foundation for understanding the wide range of technology tools, resources, and techniques as well as insight into future implications in all areas of Special Needs, not just in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders.” (Closing The Gap, December 2018 - January 2019)

“This comprehensive and technologically-inspired book presents new ideas and strategies for improving the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder. … This book is written on an academic level that is most suitable for mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, researchers, school counselors and clinicians, occupational and speech therapists, as well as graduate students in related studies and disciplines. … I highly recommend this book … .” (Michael S. Goldsby, Doody's Book Reviews, March, 2016)