For those with autism new technologies may offer help to achieve their full potential at school as well as assessing data and improving research into their condition.
There was significant discussions of this space at the recent WEF forum in Davos and developments are moving fast below is a summary of some of these developments.
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) estimates that one in 160 children has a autism spectrum disorder and the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention says that the figure is around one in 59 in the US.
Google Chrome books and Apple/iPads are becoming more commonplace in classrooms , including those with special needs. A study by eSchool News shows the use of AI in education is set to grow nearly 50% by 2021.
Indeed growth of this scale has helped to push global investment in education technology companies to a record $9.6 Billion in 2016
Currently there are a number of interesting projects ongoing ,Autism Speaks ,an advocacy organisation partnered with Google on a genetics research project that aims to sequence the DNA of 10,000 families affected by autism. Samsung has produced an app that helps children with autism make eye contact and has donated 1000s of tablets to families .
Brain Power aims to teach practical skills to children and adults all along the spectrum using Google Glass and a range of apps that offer feedback geared to the situation.The game-like apps connect to the cloud where AI is used to produce quick insights for the children ,their parents and teachers.
In one of the apps Emotion Charades ,the person with autism sees an emoji floating on either side of someones face then tilts their head to choose the one that matches the facial expression .At the same time ,Brain Power’s software automatically monitors game performance as well as body language and checks for signs of anxiety/
At this months meeting of the World Economic Forum AI and and Autism features strongly with many companies pitching their creative apps to this key investment audience .
From my own direct experience artificial intelligence can and does benefit people on the spectrum and improves their social communication and interaction skills of people with autism.
At Don’t leave them behind we are looking for our community to come forward with their ideas and plans in this area.