Computers and Autism – A Blessing or a Curse?
The Research Autism Lorna Wing series of conferences and seminars present
Computers and Autism – A Blessing or a Curse?
Date: Thursday 24 November 2011 | Venue: Church House Conference Centre, Westminster, London | Chair: Dr Lorna Wing
Cost: £225, Early Bird booking before 31 October £175, limited places for individuals with autism and their carers £100
Programme (PDF document) | Booking Form (Word document) | Map (PDF)
With a keynote by Dr Dinah Murray
Rapid advances in computer technology offer unprecedented opportunities for individuals with autism to develop a range of social and communications skills. Computers are known to play to the strengths shown by many individuals on the autism spectrum and it is no real surprise that many are exceptionally competent and comfortable in their use.
But do we yet know enough about this technology, and what the potential uses and the possible adverse effects might be? We know from recent high profile cases that the use of computers and social networking sites has caused individuals with Asperger syndrome to come into contact with the law through misuse or they have been exploited or abused.
Is this a positive breakthrough or does the use of interactive software also carry with it the risk of exploitation of non-verbal individuals such as that seen with Facilitated Communication? What are the implications and what should be the safeguards?
This important conference will explore the full range of implications of the technology, its uses and possible misuses and the huge number of ethical and practical considerations that such a powerful medium demands.
The conference will be of interest to individuals with autism, parents, speech and language and communication specialists, teachers, academics and researchers, social care professionals, mental health professionals, the IT and related industries, advocates and legal professionals, criminal justice professionals including the police.
Presentations
- Dr. Dinah Murray, Head of Autreach. How computers can help the more severely affected individual with autism. Thoughts on new developments and applications
- Janja Kranjc, Psychologist, Center for Autism Slovenia. Using Facebook as a tool of developing communication and social skills of young adults with ASD
- Joseph Mintz, Principal Lecturer and UK HANDS Coordinator, London South Bank University, and Miklos Gyori, Associate Professor at ELTE University, Budapest, and lead research psychologist at Autism Foundation, Budapest; Cognitive Psychology lead for HANDS. Does hand held technology improve independence? Helping young people with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism navigate life’s highways. The ‘HANDS ‘project. An evaluation of multi site EU research collaboration
- Jacqui Ashton Smith, Executive Head of Helen Allison & Robert Ogden Schools, The National Autistic Society. Translating theory into good practice; a whole school approach to the ethics, practicalities, advantages and pitfalls related to the use of computer technology in autism during and after school, and into adult life
- David Murphy Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Broadmoor Hospital. How might computers contribute to offending behaviour in adults with autism? And what to do about it. Case studies and discussion
- Penny Benford, Research Fellow, the University of Nottingham. The internet: a comfortable place for communication for people on the autistic spectrum?
Related Links
Last Updated : 02/12/2011 Back to Top
