In the world of the mind, there are many dimensions and alter states that everyone attempts to express outward with the universe through storytelling. For some it may be easier to do than others, however, we all struggle at some point. The best way to communicate our inner thoughts with our outer voice is through storytelling and sometimes physical tools. For our children that have Autism Spectrum Disorder our “Gentle Spirits”, it can be a little more challenging to let us into their colorful and mysterious realm.
In my personal journey, it has been one of my life’s passion and fascination to be able to enter the world and mind of the “Gentle Spirits”. At an early age, I lost my 18-month-old brother from Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome. Although Christopher and I were young It felt like we had a language of understanding that we shared through storytelling and toys.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
The gentle spirits have their challenges of communicating outside of their realm of language to the outer spectators trying to understand. The medical clinical description states that “Autism is a brain-based disorder that influences how students learn and function in academic and social settings”. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) {2000) (Carnahan, Musti-Rao, Bailey, 2009).
I feel with additional surroundings and tools leaning in towards more expressive innovative ways to connect the two worlds of gentle spirits with technology. It will help with the advancement of progress in their ability to speak their language with their educators. The ability to bring a 3D version of themselves to life to share and express with educators, friends, and even family sounds fascinating. With the capability to tell their story in the way they see the world and themselves. It's a marvelous and fantastic way to see deeper into their individual worlds. Just as Christina Guo has expressed and I believe, “disability is not inability” (How Learning 3D Modeling Can Benefit Kids on the Autism Spectrum 2020).
Methods and Strategy - Curiosity
Arousing the curiosity of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be a little more challenging for educators but Christina Guo has developed a product called Little You (How Learning 3D Modeling Can Benefit Kids on the Autism Spectrum 2020). The product allows ASD learners to design and apply their version of themselves through 3D Virtual Modeling. According to Keller and Deimann (2018), “Curiosity is aroused by uncertainty or a desire to close a perceived gap in one’s knowledge due to such things as unanswered questions or unresolved conflicts” (Reiser, Dempsey. 2018, pp.78-86). All the possibilities of colors, shapes, and sizes within their control is an intriguing learning method to use for creativity. In a similar program called Sketch-Up, "Each session was two hours long and included hands-on training in the use of the design program as well as time for students to share their design projects" (3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism 2012).
Volitional (self-regulatory) Strategies
According to Keller and Deimann (2018), volition is in cases when those goals collide, volitional strategies can help students prioritize their goals and avoid being distracted by those that are less important at a given moment (Kuhl & Kraska, 1989) (Reiser, 20170118, p. 81). The program uses different avatars, numerous hairstyles, and several expressions to heighten the learner's desire to play around with different ideas. It inspires the ASD learners to want to play with the computer without being coerced into doing assignments.
It becomes less of a tedious task and transforms into fun storytime. The skills learned can be carried over into real-world job applications. “Common applications of 3D modeling include animations, cartoons, video games, and television advertisements” (3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism 2012). With the direction of the job market leading towards virtual and remote staffing, this allows ADS students to be competitive in the job market. According to new research, between 2005 to 2017, there was a 159% increase in remote work. In 2015, 3.9 million U.S. workers were working remotely (3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism 2012).
Learning Task
According to Keller and Deimann (2018), a central concept related to building confidence in mastering learning tasks is that of control. The students have the opportunity to share their inner voices with an expressive tool that animates their stories in an invigorating way. Giving the students the feeling of strength, empowerment, and confidence in their abilities fosters the motivation to master their learning tasks.
Students are engaged and motivated when they are empowered by mastering the content that is presented to them in a playful manner. Students that feel the instant gratification of rewards show an increased motivational and volitional involvement with their studies (Reiser, 81). Utilizing this tool to engage the ASD student promotes social skills as well. According to research using 3D Modeling, “It’s a gateway towards appreciating one another and learning how to speak politely. Most parents have also realized the potential harm of isolating their kids in a lonely world” (3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism 2012).
Conclusion
Trying to open a passageway for greater communication tools with these gifts for God is opening the door to the realm of higher understanding that we as outsiders haven’t been able to fully achieve or mastered yet. Getting closer to the understanding of the "Gentle Spirits" will help close the gap in yet another language barrier. Little You is a helpful tool to assist in bridging the gap of communication between two realms. For myself, I feel that the world of Autism Spectrum Disorder for children and adults is a work in progress of the untapped layers of the language of the “Gentle Spirits” (Kearney, 2020)
References
3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism. (2012, January 10). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110093742.htm
Carnahan, C., Musti-Rao, S., & Bailey, J. (2009). Promoting Active Engagement in Small Group Learning Experiences for Students with Autism and Significant Learning Needs. Education and Treatment of Children, 32(1), 37–61.
Hering, B. (2020, November 16). Remote Work Statistics for 2020: New Norms and Expectations. Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/remote-work-statistics/
How Learning 3D Modeling Can Benefit Kids on the Autism Spectrum. (2020, December 12). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://themighty.com/2020/11/3d-modeling-autism-spectrum-prnt/
Kearney, M. (2020). Gentle Spirits. Lecture.
Reiser, R. A., Dempsey, J. V. (20170118). Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (Subscription), 4th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf 9.3.0]. Retrieved from vbk://9780134237039
Satisfying Outcomes
In allowing the child to project the version of themselves that they see, to others, the students can develop a sense of satisfaction. The anticipation that it builds can also be a motivator. These students, that usually have obstacles in communication, can use an art form to help the educators see them as they see themselves. This can open the doors to better understanding of the child on the educator part. Not only are the students learning how to use these new skills, but the educators are learning about the individuals as well.
Related to one’s Goals
The goal of any one person, especially those that have obstacles in their way, is to be able to turn what…
3-D Modeling for ASD students:
Motivation through curiosity-
This study is very interesting to me. I have a child with ASD and the term "Autism" is considered an "umbrella term" for many different spectrum disorders under one classification. Basically, like many other disorders or diseases, students with Autism do not have the same learning challenges as another student with Autism-they are all unique and different.. This is why is can be a challenge working with such creative minds. Yet, one small interest or technique can draw the attention of all the students together and the 3-D avatar learning is a great example of that. My son is very blunt and honest when it comes to learning (or anything about life…
Mary I want to commend you for the work that you are doing, it's truly amazing work.
Reaching kids with any type of learning disorder is tough, but reaching kids that fall on the Autism Spectrum Disorder is especially challenging. The idea of a virtual model that the child can create after an image of themselves can help to engage the childs mind. One thing about ASD is that it can be difficult to express themselves properly, through a virtual world it could be easier for them to find a way to express themselves which can lessen the frustration the child can feel when struggling to express themselves. Another area of concern for ASD children is socialization, with the virtual…
Those on the autism spectrum face unique challenges when it comes to learning and engaging with others socially. As presented in Mary’s post on Little You, and other such digital platforms, utilizing 3D and virtual learning environments in one creative way to overcome some of the obstacles that these students face. Especially the aspect of customizing and building their own avatar as a way to cultivate feelings of control and confidence. This can boost the student's self-efficacy, “which refers to the extent to which people can plan and implement behaviors that will result in successful goal accomplishment” (Reiser & Dempsey, pg. 81).
On a similar note, Psychology Today just wrote an article recently on the efficacy of using games to…
Autism
Introduction
As an educator one of the hardest parts of teaching is reaching children with learning disabilities. Autism is one of the hardest to try to teach. Each case of autism comes with its own set of difficulties. Milder cases require minimum work while the more severe case require special practices and care.
Case Study
This case study focuses on the use of 3d modeling with the assistance of teaching what they call “gentle spirits” or those with autism. One of the difficulties with Autism is that their ability to communicate is severely hindered. This program focuses on creating 3D versions of the learner to enable them to communicate in a way that others and themselves can understand.
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