Cognitive disabilities and compensatory technologies

[Jim Rebman <James.Rebman@Colorado.EDU>]

I need some assistance in locating resources and/or people with expertise
in dealing with developmental and cognitive disabilities.  Mostly I am
speaking of Down's syndrome, autism, and TBI and not learning disabilities
per se.  I am trying to find out what, if any kinds of compensatory
strategies and technologies are being used to deal with these situations,
or, as the case may be, why there aren't any such adaptations or they are
limited in scope and number.  I do know that the range of issues is huge
(and that may be part of why it is so difficult to deal with), but I really
need to clarify and quantify this if possible.  I do remember Gregg
Vanderheiden talking about this in a talk he gave at CSUN in 1998, but I
can't remember exactly what he said (though I thought it was very clearly
stated at the time).

Also, since I have very little background in this, I would also like to
find out where I can learn more about the specific cognitive issues related
to autism (What exactly is autism and how does it manifest itself?) and
Down's Syndrome (is this simply a case of below-average IQ, or is there
more to it than that, or is this even the issue at all?)., and anything
else that people with experience in these matters thinks is useful.

I would appreciate any and all responses as this will not only be used for
my own edification, but also for helping to guide some proposed research
that my group at the university is looking into.  Please don't be afraid to
say that this is something that may not be worth doing if that is what you
truly believe -- honesty and experience are what counts here.  I should
also clarify that this is all in the context of education and educational
technologies and not independent living and other social issues.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give,

Jim Rebman

------------------------------
James A. Rebman

Technology - Enhanced Learning Laboratory
University of Colorado, Boulder
College of Engineering and Applied Science

mailto:James.Rebman@Colorado.edu