Technology Assistance for Young Adults with Learning Disabilities

Our Beliefs

At Horizons School, we recognize that technology can be a powerful tool for empowering young adults with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other learning differences to achieve greater independence in their living and working lives. This comprehensive guide explores various technology solutions that can help our students overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Assistive Technology for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Communication Supports

For many individuals with autism, communication can present challenges. These tools can help bridge the gap:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Apps: Applications like Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, and LAMP Words for Life provide symbol-based communication options for those with limited verbal abilities.
• Social Story Creators: Apps like Social Story Creator and Library help create personalized stories that explain social situations and appropriate responses.
• Emotion Recognition Tools: Applications like Emotion Mentor or Microsoft’s Seeing AI can help identify emotions in others, which can be difficult for some individuals with autism.

Sensory Regulation Support

• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Products like Bose QuietComfort or Sony WH-1000XM series can help reduce sensory overload in noisy environments.
• White Noise Apps: Applications like White Noise or Relax Melodies provide calming sounds to mask disruptive environmental noise.
• Visual Timer Apps: Products like Time Timer visualize the passage of time, reducing anxiety about schedule transitions.

Technology Solutions for ADHD

Focus and Attention Tools

• Focus Apps: Programs like Freedom, Forest, or Focus@Will block distractions and create optimal work environments.
• Pomodoro Technique Apps: Tools like Be Focused or Focus Keeper break work into manageable intervals with built-in breaks to maintain attention.
• Fidget Apps: Digital fidgets can provide the sensory input that many with ADHD need to focus without physical fidget tools.

Organization and Memory Support

• Digital Notebooks: Applications like Notion, Evernote, or OneNote help organize thoughts and information in customizable formats with searchable content.
• Visual Task Managers: Tools like Trello or Asana use cards and visual boards that appeal to visual thinkers and make project management more intuitive.
• Location-Based Reminders: Apps like Google Keep or Apple Reminders can trigger notifications based on location (“Remind me when I get to work”), helping with transition-related tasks.

Technology for Anxiety Management

Mindfulness and Relaxation

• Meditation Apps: Programs like Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer offer guided meditations specifically designed for anxiety.
• Breathing Exercise Apps: Applications like Breathe2Relax or Breath Ball guide users through deep breathing exercises during moments of stress.
• CBT-Based Apps: Tools like MoodMission or What’s Up provide cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to manage anxious thoughts.

Routine and Predictability

• Visual Schedule Apps: Tools like Choiceworks or Visual Schedule Planner provide clear visual representations of daily schedules, reducing anxiety about what comes next.
• Home Automation: Smart home devices can create consistent routines with automatic lighting, temperature, and morning alarm sequences.
• Preparation Tools: Applications like Social Story Creator help prepare for new situations by walking through what to expect.

Workplace Technology Accommodations

As our students transition to employment settings, these technologies can provide crucial support:

Communication and Social Navigation

• Email Templates: Pre-written templates for common workplace communications reduce the stress of composing messages.
• Meeting Preparation Tools: Applications like Microsoft Outlook’s meeting notes feature help prepare for and review discussion points.
• Workplace Social Guides: Apps like Mighty Networks can guide workplace social norms and expectations.

Executive Functioning Support

• Time Tracking Software: Applications like Toggl or RescueTime help maintain awareness of time spent on tasks.
• Project Breakdown Tools: Programs like Microsoft Planner or Asana break large projects into manageable steps with clear deadlines.
• Digital Documentation: Tools like Notion or Google Workspace help organize and access information, reducing memory demands.

Independent Living Technologies

Technology can support greater independence in daily living:

Home Management

• Routine Apps: Applications like Routinery or Tiimo create consistent daily routines with reminders and guidance.
• Smart Home Devices: Voice-activated assistants like Amazon Echo or Google Home can help with reminders, creating shopping lists, and controlling home environments.
• Medication Management Apps: Tools like Medisafe or MyTherapy provide medication reminders and tracking.

Life Skills Development

• Cooking Tutorial Apps: Applications like Kitchen Stories or SideChef provide step-by-step visual cooking instructions.
• Budget Visualization Tools: Apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget) or Mint visualize spending patterns and financial goals.
• Transportation Support: Tools like Moovit or Transit provide real-time public transportation information with clear directions.

Social Connection and Community Integration

Technology can help bridge social gaps:

• Interest-Based Communities: Platforms like Discord or Reddit offer moderated communities centered around specific interests where social interaction may feel more natural.
• Structured Social Activities: Apps like Meetup help find group activities with clear expectations and shared interests.
• Social Coaching Apps: Tools like Relationalyze can provide feedback on conversations and social interactions.

Conclusion

At Horizons School, we believe that technology, when thoughtfully implemented, can be a powerful tool for young adults with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. By providing the right technological tools and support, we help our students overcome barriers, showcase their abilities, and achieve greater independence in both their personal and professional lives.

We invite current and prospective students and their families to contact us to learn more about how we can help identify and implement the right technological solutions for your specific needs and goals.