Stephen:

Kathleen: I couldn't agree more.

As we delve into the specifics of your two talks at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) I would like to ask Michael if he has any questions regarding technology for autism which is one of his areas of research concentration. Michael?

Michael: A lot of terrific technology has come out of the MIT Media Center during the past two years. Lately I am seeing more of Matthew Goodwin and about Dr. Picard's work on facial recognition. What value does this research hold for Spectrum education? Fill us in on what you are presenting.

Stephen: Yes, Dr. Ros Picard is doing a lot of important work on using technology to help people on the autism spectrum. Her work on facial recognition is very promising as that remains an area of great difficulty for many people on the autism spectrum. Some people with autism are able to recognize some expressions but may find it impossible to remember faces.

Dr. Picard wants me to talk about my experiences on the autism spectrum. My sense is that there will be a lot of interesting discussion in that class between the students as I and they continue to seek a better understanding of autism.

The second presentation focuses on increasing administrator awareness and understanding of autism. For that presentation I will probably focus more on how an institute of higher education and provide better support for people on the autism spectrum.

Michael: Do you have any inside info on anything else new coming from MIT or Georgia Tech?

Stephen: I wish I did... and I'll probably have more after my visit to MIT on March 3rd.

Michael: I see a new graduate level MIT course that engages the students in the tech development process. Sounds promising. Any thoughts?

Stephen: Engaging students is a great idea since it is they who will be the future researchers, interventionists, and educators of people with autism and other special needs.
One thing that comes to mind is to make the material as ecologically sound as possible. That's just fancy edu-speak for saying that we should do all we can to provide environments as close to what the person with autism will experience in their daily lives.

Michael: What tech do you believe is the most valuable to people on the Spectrum right now? in the future?

Stephen: That's hard to say. The answer probably depends on the needs of the particular person(s) on the autism spectrum. The individual who has not developed a reliable means of communication yet may need something different than the person who has a 145 verbal IQ yet remains unable to decode nonverbal communication.

Michael: I am most interested in see the wider use of video modeling in education. I am pleased to see so many excellent products available for use. Personally, I believe VM will prove invaluable in facilitating language development for some and will provide a communication platform for those who have language but are denied the opportunity to be heard. Comments?

Stephen: There's much to be said for that. A large part of - possibly even a majority - of challenges people with autism face stem from difficulties in effecting reliable communication with others.

Michael: I post video clips that demonstrate the extreme ends of the communication spectrum.

*(Here are some examples of videos Michael has posted)

Non-verbal child says "more"

Chris was ambivalent about communicating orally.  In fact, he rarely made a sound.  Seeing himself on camera motivated him to vocalize.

 J.R. has always been able to answer simple questions with 1-2 word answers, and then only after lengthy pauses peppered with hems and haws, teeth gnashing and guttural sounds. Very few people bother to engage him in conversation because they do not expect he is capable. I only realized we were having a conversation because I was testing for it.  I waited patiently for each of his response before I continued to talk to him.  Once I realized he was indeed following the conversation, I decided to document it by editing out anything that was definitely not communication oriented.

I Need A Break

Student is given language to communicate emotional state. 

Stephen: Video clips like that will be very helpful to those wishing to learn more about communication challenges of people with autism.

Michael: I am wondering how it is possible to stimulate such research. I would also like to see a more public platform for the myriad of videos posted by people on the Spectrum as a means of self-expression. If I go to a doctor with a cold, he/she will ask ME what my symptoms are. Why cant we do the same with spectrum citizens? Sorry, moved off-topic. Perhaps a college course reviewing and evaluating work already posted might yield unexpected benefits?

Stephen: Makes sense to me. We all need to get better at listening to people with autism and understanding that they may not use the verbal form of communication to say what needs to be said.

Michael: So you really are Don Quixote after all!

Stephen: I see some windmills in the distance so I'm going to tilt at them.

Michael: Bravo! Actually, each time you present or lecture, you are opening the secret world of autism to the public eye.

Stephen: That's one of my goals. To serve as a translator between the worlds of autism and the rest of society.

Michael: Which is why the work of People like Kathleen and her peers is so valuable in providing wider exposure. The Internet is invaluable in that respect, connecting more people to the information that would otherwise remain in smaller venues like a single classroom or a single presentation.

Stephen: The Internet is great at transcending space and time.

Kathleen: Video modeling will certainly prove to be a powerful tool in helping to disseminate this type of information.

Stephen: I agree in that video modeling can be a very powerful tool in this area. Looks like we have our work cut out for us!

Kathleen: Indeed! We have covered a lot of territory this evening. Your schedule is very tight Stephen ...your days begin early and and go into the late evening. Thank you for sharing your time and some of your travels in autism with us!

Stephen: It's been a pleasure. I'm off to Shanghai on Wednesday, March 23rd and I look forward to reporting my findings.

Kathleen: Thank you Michael for your time as well and adding to the discussion on how technology can improve life for individuals on the autism spectrum.

I'll be updating as Stephen makes the rounds at various autism spectrum conferences, presentations and related functions. To catch our conversations, watch for the next: "Where in the world is Dr. Stephen Shore!"

"Improving life for people on the autism spectrum....