Abstract of O. Almog lecture


COMPUTERIZED TOOLS FOR PROMOTING SOCIAL AND
COMMUNICATIONAL SKILLS AMONGST CHILDREN AND
TEENAGERS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DISABILITIES

O. Almog, O. Perlstein, R. Neeman
Center for Educational Technology, Israel

The use of computerized tools for children and teenagers with autism
and other disabilities has numerable advantages. The computerized
environment is consistent, predictable and not demanding; it gives the
user a sense of control; it enables a gradual progression and it has
multimedia options which can ease learning and make it more fun.
The department of special needs in CET has developed three
websites for students with autism and other disabilities: "Medabrim
Comics" - a website that enables the creation of comics. Researchers
have recognized the potential of comic strips as an effective tool for
teaching autistic children conversation and social skills. The website
provides a variety of backgrounds, characters with various moods,
objects and a bubble library that can serve the student, the teacher, or
the caretaker, to create a rich individualized comics story. "Bein
Chaverim" – A pool of activities designed to improve social and
communicational skills. The activities are based on short illustrated
texts, depicting frequent daily social situations that have a potential
challenge for people with autism. "Mi-Po?" – A social network
designed especially for children and adolescents with special needs. It
provides a clear, easy to use environment that invites the users to
interact with each other and to enjoy the benefits of social networks in
a safe and protected environment.


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