Virtual Reality Teaching Technology

This is my first entry on my autismtalk blog! I thought this would be a good outlet to get the word out about autism, to talk about what I know and what I see on a daily basis. I work with children on the spectrum and it is a joy and a blessing in my life. I read this article about technology and autism. It is unbelievable to think that technology has gotten so advanced that virtual reality can be considered a feasible option for aiding autism teaching. Children with autism are so sensitive to environmental cues that now experts say computers give an even and consistent teaching opportunity for children with autism to learn without being upset by the external subtle cues of human instruction.

“particularly in a virtual world that’s not moving as quickly and doesn’t have as many cues that might distract you,” - Gary Mesibov, director of the University of North Carolina’s Division TEACCH.

This finding is a stepping stone to getting the best education for these kids. Technology is a wonderful supplement to effective teaching and can obviously aid in the success of children with developmental disabilities.

One wonders, however, when they go back to a regular setting, would children with autism who learned via virtual reality be back where they started, or will they be able to generalize their new skills?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24100671/