Assistive Technologies for Autism

Autism symptoms usually manifest in the first two years of life, a time when personality development and essential life skills are developing rapidly. Fortunately, during this period, the brain remains highly plastic, and its functioning can be adjusted. Assistive technologies play a significant role in combating autism, as they improve the ability to communicate and interact with the world.

Assistive Technology (AT) includes any devices, applications, or equipment that help overcome specific challenges. The use of AT in autism aims to support communication, learning, and daily activities.

1. Communication Devices:
   To address verbal communication difficulties, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are used. These include Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), speech-generating devices (SGD), and speech-generating apps for tablets.
2. Educational Software and Apps:
   These are diverse and often use gaming and interactive methods to teach various skills. These tools are beneficial in studying the school curriculum, helping to understand non-verbal cues and behaviors of others, and developing empathy.
3. Sensory Integration Tools:
   The senses of autistic individuals react more intensely to external stimuli, although in some cases, their sensory activity may be lower than normal. Weighted blankets and clothing, noise-canceling headphones, and tactile toys help manage sensory overload, reduce stress, and maintain focus.
4. Visual Planning and Organizational Tools:
   Autistic individuals prefer their daily routines to be clear and events to be scheduled, sometimes down to the minute. They feel more secure when the situation is predictable, as this is a key factor for their sense of safety. Any disruption to the schedule can lead to anxiety. Visualization tools, including pictures or electronic apps, can help clarify the tasks of the day and reduce anxiety.
5. Social Skills Learning Tools:
   These tools are essential because many individuals with autism struggle with communication. Numerous interactive programs and apps help them learn and practice social skills in a user-controlled environment, minimizing stress.

Benefits of Assistive Technologies:
The primary advantage of AT is improving communication skills. They act as alternative communication tools for individuals who cannot speak or have limited verbal abilities, allowing them to express their needs and thoughts.

Additionally, interactive and personalized educational tools improve academic performance, as they enable autistic individuals to learn at their own pace, focusing on the subjects they find most challenging.

AT also helps in performing everyday tasks independently, boosting self-confidence and enabling a more fulfilling and independent life. Technologies simplify communication, supporting the social integration of autistic individuals and helping them form relationships.

The Limitations and Advancements of AT:
However, it is important to note that each disorder has its unique features, and the needs, abilities, and preferences of each individual cannot always be fully accounted for in the creation of devices or applications. While AT is rapidly evolving, there is already a method that provides a comprehensive solution to problems related to autism.

Cell Therapy: An Innovative Approach

Cell therapy is an innovative technology that can eliminate or alleviate the symptoms of autism, making any additional treatments more effective. This method involves transplanting the patient’s own stem cells, which do not trigger immune rejection. These stem cells can transform into specialized cells of any organ, replacing damaged ones. This process is also possible in the brain, which, along with the nervous system, begins functioning normally soon after the procedure, positively impacting behavior.

This method is practiced in leading clinics worldwide, including the Mardaleishvili Medical Center, where highly qualified doctors with extensive experience in using cell therapy to treat autism work with state-of-the-art equipment. There are additional reasons to choose this center. The cost of services is lower than in other countries with advanced healthcare systems, and the center’s staff can provide all necessary assistance, starting from trip planning and accommodation arrangements.

Cell therapy — one solution to many autism-related challenges!