tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32090617.post395014016704041843..comments2024-03-05T03:35:29.603-05:00Comments on TechPsych: Cognitive Bursts, Autism, & "Sense of Self": Digital media for intervention across all stages of development.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32090617.post-10581333673796678872008-07-17T22:21:00.000-04:002008-07-17T22:21:00.000-04:00Howard,My ideas come from my experience working wi...Howard,<BR/><BR/>My ideas come from my experience working with young people with autism, my clinical "intuition", the words of a few wise and gifted professors who are probably long since gone, and what I've learned through integrating technology in my work. I also have two close relatives who are on the spectrum who have provided me with insights over the years.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to see more research to be done that focuses on older teens and young adults. In order to ensure better outcomes for education and treatment, we do need to explore new ways of using existing technologies. We also need to engage in collaborating with those who are developing emerging technologies. <BR/><BR/>I believe this is an urgent matter, since the numbers are growing significantly. Are our high schools ready for the upcoming influx? <BR/><BR/>We also need more people who are prepared to work with teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorders, in terms of teachers, language and occupational therapists psychologists, behavior support specialists, related services providers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and parent educators.<BR/><BR/>I am hoping that autism researchers will take note of my observations.Lynn Marentettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03087071578329079976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32090617.post-70919423587002494512008-07-17T12:58:00.000-04:002008-07-17T12:58:00.000-04:00Lynn;Great ideas on 2 counts.1. There is a need to...Lynn;<BR/>Great ideas on 2 counts.<BR/>1. There is a need to better use existing technology in new ways to effect everyday situation and throughout the various disciplines. The extent of my training (in the 90s) was also relegated to mainframe SPSS commands.<BR/>2. Your autism interventions seemed focused on people developing social interactions on their own terms and innovating on their own terms. By the way; I don't see a lot of this type of thinking in the autism literature. Where are your ideas coming from.<BR/>Thanks again for the post!<BR/>HowardHoward Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09426998835138855839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32090617.post-47143932476351587072008-07-10T11:14:00.000-04:002008-07-10T11:14:00.000-04:00Minna,I updated this post and included a link to m...Minna,<BR/><BR/>I updated this post and included a link to my previous post about symtrend.Lynn Marentettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03087071578329079976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32090617.post-11492707495725288202008-07-10T08:49:00.000-04:002008-07-10T08:49:00.000-04:00I run a website with tools for individuals on the ...I run a website with tools for individuals on the autism spectrum (http://www.symtrend.com). SymTrend is PDA and web-based software for recording behavioral observations about children with lower functioning autism. Those who are higher functioning or Aspergers can use our system for self-monitoring and to get guidance when they are in situations that challenge them.<BR/><BR><BR><BR/>Basically our system involves having the person self-monitor social interactions, emotions, and organizational tasks simultaneously with a coach or teacher. Both sets of ratings are charted on the same page. The coach and student then discuss the discrepancies, use the charts for detection of triggers or challenges, and set goals for changes in performance. The PDA is used for the ratings, to provide reminders and general hints, and to guide their way through challenging situations. The tool has also been used in doing cognitive behavior therapy with individuals with anxiety. Many students with Aspergers have issues with anxiety so the CBT applications help with this as well.<BR/><BR><BR>You can watch a video about our tool on our home page (Click on the photo in the upper right of the home page under the heading "Watch a video". Our work been researched with a grant from National Institute of Mental Health. We had one grant that was completed in 2006 that studied the tool's use with 7 students with Aspergers in a homogenous AS classroom. We won a second grant and will be testing the system with 50 AS kids who are in mainstream classrooms in MA and NC. The "News" link on the home page directs you to links about our research.SymTrend Supporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17815472575503438192noreply@blogger.com