Embracing Technology to Empower Kids with ADHD and Autism

June 13, 2024•4 min read

Embracing Technology to Empower Kids with ADHD and Autism

Gone are the days when screen time was seen only as a distraction. Today, innovative technologies are used to help kids develop essential cognitive skills. Technology can help kids improve focus, attention, and self-regulation—key areas where many neurodivergent kids often need support. Below are six examples of technology that you can use with your neurodivergent kids to help them create more calm and increase cognitive skills in their lives.

1. Educational Apps

Apps like Khan Academy Kids, ABC Mouse, and ABCya offer personalized learning. My kids think they’re being sneaky when they ask to use them because they’re getting time on a device, but they are learning important skills while playing games.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

Apps like Headspace and Calm provide guided meditations and mindfulness exercises tailored for children. My son has a very hard time falling asleep due to intrusive and anxious thoughts that are worse at night. He is able to calm his mind and fall asleep with sleep stories made for kids. You can even get sleep stories on YouTube if you don’t want to have a subscription-based app.

3. Interactive Whiteboards

Smartboards and other interactive whiteboards can turn traditional learning into a dynamic experience. Kids can engage directly with the material, making learning more hands-on and interactive.

4. Wearable Technology

Wearables like the Embrace Watch track physiological signals to help detect and manage anxiety. These devices can provide real-time feedback and support, helping kids recognize and respond to their own emotional states. My son has a GABB watch that helps me know where he’s at if he’s not with me. He is also able to call and text pre-programmed contacts.

5. Screen Time for Self-Regulation

For kids with PDA, controlled screen time can be a valuable tool for self-regulation. Apps and games that promote relaxation and focus can help these children manage their responses to demands and reduce anxiety. It’s all about finding the right balance and ensuring the content is beneficial rather than overstimulating.

6. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

VR and AR can create immersive environments for social skills training and sensory integration. Programs like Floreo offer VR experiences designed to help kids practice social interactions and navigate different scenarios in a safe, controlled setting. Another game that is beneficial is Skylar’s Run.

How Skylar's Run Works

Skylar's Run is no ordinary video game. It’s a tool specifically designed to teach and reinforce 13 critical cognitive skills through an engaging and interactive experience.

Here's how it breaks down:

- Focus and Attention: The game measures brainwaves using a simple headset, adjusting its difficulty in real-time to keep players in the optimal learning zone. This helps kids stay attentive to tasks and reduces distractibility.

- Self-Regulation: Players learn to control impulses and make thoughtful decisions, which are crucial for managing behaviors both in school and at home.

- Working Memory: Future modules will focus on enhancing working memory, making it easier for kids to follow directions and retain information.

Real-World Benefits

In research trials of Skylar’s Run, kids showed significant improvements in academic performance, jumping ahead in math and reading skills within just six weeks. But it’s not just about academic gains. Parents and teachers report calmer, more focused children who are ready to learn and succeed.

Why Technology Matters

Using technology to support neurodivergent kids offers a range of advantages:

Accessibility

Technological tools are designed to be flexible and versatile, allowing kids to use them at home, in school, or in therapeutic settings. This ensures that they can benefit from consistent support across different environments.

Engagement

Whether it’s through interactive video games like Skylar's Run, educational apps like Khan Academy Kids, or immersive VR experiences like Floreo, these tools keep kids motivated and invested in their progress. The engaging nature of these technologies helps maintain their interest and encourages active participation.

Personalization

One of the biggest strengths of technology is its ability to adapt to each child’s unique needs. Games like Skylar's Run adjust their difficulty in real-time based on brainwave measurements, while apps and wearables provide tailored feedback and support. This ensures that kids are always learning and growing at their optimal pace.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on using technology to help kids with ADHD and autism. Have you tried similar tools? What has worked for your family? Let us know in the comments below or give us a shout-out on social media.

To get more support around helping empower your kids, check out our Resource Page HERE (https://www.boisemusictherapycompany.com/resources).

Samantha Foote

Samantha’s mission is to strengthen, guide, and empower parents, children, and adults to develop emotional awareness, improve social skills, and gain effective coping skills resulting in improved peer relationships, increased family harmony, and a calmer & more relaxed demeanor. She is a board-certified music therapist, a Positive Discipline Parent Educator, and a registered Music Together teacher. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University and completed her Masters of Music with a specialization in Music Therapy degree from Colorado State University. She is a Neurological Music Therapy Fellow and a Dialectical Behavior Therapy-informed Music Therapist. When she is not working, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and extended family. They enjoy fishing, camping, and other outdoor adventures.

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