Autism spectrum disorders in the era of mobile technologies: impact on caregivers.
OBJECTIVE
This paper explores possible connections among existing literature on parental stress, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and use of mobile technology for persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).


METHODS
A narrative review of the literature.


RESULTS
Parental support contributes to positive outcomes for children who use AAC. Parents identify communication as a high priority, but describe the process as challenging. AAC is often used with children with ASD, a population in which parental stress is especially high. Though there is research evidence that mobile technology is a promising tool for individuals with ASD, potentially misleading media anecdotes exist, and the effects on parental expectations and stress remain unstudied questions.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased understanding of the connections in these research areas should help clarify the potential impact of mobile technologies on parental stress level, help to define appropriate future research directions, and contribute to development of appropriate caregiver training.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, MGH Institute of Health Professions , Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA , USA and.
Anna A
AA
Allen
Howard C
HC
Shane
D000328:Adult; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008905:Minicomputers; D063731:Mobile Applications; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*