Autism: Assistive Technology
On 2 April each year the UN observes World Autism Awareness Day; this year’s theme is ‘Assistive Technologies, Active Participation’. This House of Lords Library briefing summarises some of the challenges faced by people with autism and examines how assistive technology can enable independence for people with the condition.
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a lifelong condition that affects how people communicate and interact with others. It is estimated that 1.1 percent of the UK population have autism, although the rate of diagnosed autism is lower. Assistive technology is used to help disabled people live more independent lives; and there are a range of these services and products designed for people with ASD.
This briefing summarises some of the challenges faced by people with autism and examines how assistive technology can enable independence for people with the condition. It covers three areas; job-specific and employment skills, social skills and anxiety management. For each of these, the briefing outlines the technology available and reports of its effectiveness. In the final section, the briefing summarises some sources of government funding for assistive technology.