Teacher Decision Making Processes And An Analysis Of The Avatalker Application When Used By Students With Autism

This study was an investigation into the elements that teachers of students with autism use to select apps and an analysis of the Avatalker app to increase verbalizations. Results showed teachers used technology with students with autism. Teachers were unsure of an app selection process, such as a rubric or committee. Results showed that teachers use the elements of ease of use for students, motivation, engagement, flexibility, and relevancy to student needs. The Avatalker app when used with students with autism to increase verbalizations results showed that peer interactions were limited. The study results can be utilized to help implement strategies for selecting apps. The use of a committee based team to review apps using selection criteria can lead to research based apps. The results also shed light on the continued need to find strategies to increase verbalizations, conversational methods, and peer interactions in students diagnosed with autism.