Why use ICT with students with ASD?

4. Why use ICT with students with ASD?

→ Learning can be significantly enhanced when ICT is approached and utilized as an intellectual multi-tool (Onu, 2006)

→ Technological strategies facilitate learning and independent functioning for children with ASD.

→ Students with ASD who use computers/electronic devices have an increased attention span.

→ Using technology helps students with ASD to develop improved fine motor skills and show greater ability to generalize skills across various environments (i.e. repeating a wanted behavior at home that was learnt at school)

→ ICT can reduce in students with ASD excessive behaviors such as:

→ agitation

→ perseveration

→ self-stimulating behaviors (Obiyo, Etonyeaku, & Ofoegbu, 2013)

There are a number of advantages of the technological tools used in the class for students with ASD (Drigas, Vlachou, 2016):

1. Students with ASD enjoy technology as much as the average student.

2. Technology delivers active instruction, which make it easier to work with more students at once.

3. Content used can be personalized for each student depending on developmental level.

4. Content used – “predictable, consistent, free from social demands, specific in focusing attention”.

5. Students can work on their own speed and time.