Autism and Technology Class

CC 8803 - Technology and Autism
Tuesdays 3-6pm TSRB
Spring 2007

Instructors
Dr. Gregory Abowd
Dr. Rosa Arriaga

While Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is believed to affect 1 in 166 people, autism is not well understood and there is little being done to produce tools and products for those affected by autism. The focus of this course will be to have students work in teams to develop a product prototype that solves an autism-related need, either for an individual with autism or those who are part of an assistance or education network (parents, teachers, therapists, and aides).

The course will consist of relevant readings, discussions and design exercises done as a group or in individual project teams. Students will be provided with opportunities to meet important figures in the autism community around the Atlanta area and elsewhere. While the course has an emphasis on technology, there will be a distinct human-centered approach to understanding the opportunities and implications of technological assistance to meet this community’s needs.

Topics Covered

Autism in the media
Development of autism
Diagnosing autism: autism as a spectrum of disorder rather than a monolithic condition
Etiology of autism: urban legend, genetics, neuroscience, environmental factors
Asperger’s Syndrome
Current use of technological developments

Projects
Class Projects

Miscellaneous
Required Books
Course Schedule
Assignments/Evaluation
Student Journals
Snack Sign-Up

Sponsored By
This course is sponsored in part by a grant from the Cure Autism Now Foundation’s Innovative Technologies for Autism Committee.

Last modified 14 August 2007 at 4:07 pm by abowd