Technology

What Are Assistive Technologies?

Assistive technology (AT) device is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988). Such technologies can be “high” or “low tech” (from canes to voice recognition and speech generation devices). More information on different types of AT can be found at https://at.mo.gov/information-resources-publications/documents/Autism.pdf

AT for Communication Skills

Some individuals with ASD may be non-verbal or have difficulties understanding social cues or conversation. Speech generating devices may help such individuals. This can be a standalone device or specialized software installed on a tablet of phone. The NIDCD at the NIH has more information.

AT for Social Skills

Social skills is often a challenge for individuals with ASD. There are many applications to help individuals with ASD develop social skills that range from teaching facial expressions, to academic and social learning, to helping deal with stress and maladaptive behaviors. Informing Families has more examples.

Daily Living Skills

Daily living skills, such as hygiene, organization skills, and recreational skills, are important for individuals with ASD to master on their path towards independence. You can find some examples at wikibooks.

Where to Find Information on Such Devices

You can check out the following resources:

HANDS in Autism Advocacy, Innovation, Networking & Support, Research, Training & Learning

CRISIS? Read This

When an individual engages in negative behaviors, such as a tantrum or aggression, it is important to focus on the safety of the individual, those around them, and property.

In case of emergency, call 9-1-1!

Hotlines:

Indiana’s Adult Abuse Hotline: Report any types of adult (18+ y.o.) abuse (e.g., neglect, battery, or exploitation) who may be incapable due to mental illness or other physical or mental incapacity to Adult Protective Services. State hotline: 1-800-992-6978. For more information or to report online: www.in.gov/fssa/da/3479.htm

Indiana’s Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: Call 1-800-800-5556 to report child abuse (e.g., physical abuse, sexual abuse) and neglect allegations. Help is available 24/7.

Suicide hotline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a counselor at Lifeline crisis center near you. Help is available 24/7. For more information:  http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service):  Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Help available 24/7. For more information: http://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

When to Ask for Help?

Individuals with ASD experience many challenges. However, it is important for parents and caregivers to recognize when they need to seek help:

  • Aggression, self-injury or other changes in behavior, like irritability or anxiety, are recurrent, persistent, and have strong negative impact onto those around them
  • Dangerous or unsafe behaviors that are challenging to manage or contain (e.g., elopement and wandering)
  • Threats of suicide
  • Regression in skills

 

 

 

 

Featured Presentations

Supporting Families through the LifeCourse with Julie Reynolds, DDRS

Insurance and Advocating with Michele Trivedi, The Arc of Indiana

Indiana Systems of Care: Strengthening Our Communities with Jayme Whitacker, FSSA, DMHA and Christy Gauss, IDOE

Innovation in Action

School-Home Collaborative Network – An Initiative towards Greater Teaming and Engagement (March 2021)

School-Home Collaborative Network is a new initiative started by the HANDS in Autism® to address the needs of a community in a more holistic and comprehensive way. Read/Listen to Podcast

The NeuroDiagnostic Institute Adolescent Autism Services Unit – HANDS in Autism® Involvement towards Impact on Community Training, Transition, and Support (January 2021)

The NeuroDiagnostic Institute and Advanced Treatment Center, the state’s psychiatric hospital, houses a state-of-the-art adolescent autism services unit and an innovative community partnership for sustainability and prevention of re-admission. The NDI adolescent autism services unit is a collaboration of Damar Services, Inc., the Department of Psychiatry at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and HANDS in Autism Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center, also within the Department of Psychiatry at IUSM. Read/Listen to Podcast

Kelsey Cowley’s Fellowship on Sexual Abuse, Violence, and Prevention (December 2019)

As part of a fellowship program through the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistant Center (SARTAC), Kelsey Cowley, Vice-President of Self-Advocates of Indiana, developed information and resources regarding sexual abuse and violence against people with disabilities, and steps for prevention. Learn more

Explore resources on sexual abuse, violence, and prevention

Initiatives and Guidelines

Early Autism Evaluation Hub (EAE Hub) Update

Indiana University School of Medicine’s Early Autism Evaluation Hub system (EAE Hub) is a statewide network of primary care practices committed to the early evaluation of children ages 18-42 months at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Currently directed by Mary Ciccarelli, MD, 14 practices from 10 health systems across Indiana work together on fidelity to a standard clinical evaluation pathway, quality improvement of key clinical indicators and successful referrals to evidence-based interventions and local community supports. Between 700-900 children are evaluated annually, from more than half of the state’s counties. Department of Pediatrics’ researcher Becca McNally Keehn, PhD, published project outcomes from the first six years of system implementation in Pediatrics (doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-3876). Findings included reduced age of diagnosis (mean: 30.5 months) and evaluation wait time in the EAE Hubs. In a follow-up Journal of Pediatrics article (doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.02.063), with a secondary editorial highlight (doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.04.024), McNally Keehn et al. analyzed the referral concerns of caregivers and referring primary care providers (PCP). Of note, caregivers and PCPs showed different patterns of association between referral concerns and screening outcomes. The hubs are now participating in an NIH-funded study of diagnostic accuracy and validation of biomarkers that may serve to improve diagnostic sensitivity of future EAE Hub evaluations. The EAE Hub system is an innovative community-based evaluation model that not only holds promise for reducing ASD diagnostic delays and disparities, but also serves as a critical infrastructure supporting the needs of families within local communities across Indiana and for scientific advances in ASD research.

Comprehensive State Plan on Community-Based Services for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities published a report on existing services, identifies gaps in services and proposes services that will help make people with disabilities more independent. Read