Govtech.com interviews Archer and Howorth about technology for neurodivergent students
A recent article on听听about educational technology for neurodivergent students featured interviews with听Connor Archer, self-advocate advisor to听海角社区 Access to Inclusive Education Resources听(MAIER), and听Sarah Howorth, associate professor of special education and MAIER鈥檚 director. Archer was diagnosed with autism at age three and remained nonverbal until he was five. Growing up, his mother encouraged him to type on a laptop. Archer embraced the challenge and gradually wrote a collection of short stories. During high school and college, digital translation tools helped him with foreign language assignments. Now 25, he has an MBA from Husson University and is CEO of a nonprofit he founded, the听, which supports inclusive learning projects in 海角社区.听鈥淯sing a pen and paper was never my strong suit. Keyboarding worked for me, but everybody鈥檚 different,鈥 Archer said. 鈥淩esults may not show in听the听minute, but they will eventually. It takes time and patience. I wouldn鈥檛 be successful without the presence of technology in my life.鈥 Howorth says communication tools that give students a voice have been game changing. She said it鈥檚 exciting to think about the role artificial intelligence will play in assistive technology, though she cautioned that any new tool, no matter how impressive, must be a good fit with the student鈥檚 individualized learning plan and not a shortcut to achievement. 鈥淭hink of the learning objectives first,鈥 she said. 鈥淚s it [the AI-powered tool] helping the student, or just doing the work for them?鈥