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Homeschooling a Neurodivergent child with AI as a Friend
By:
Jules Celleri
On
03/08/2023Reading time:
6 min
Summary:
"THE SPECTRUM". Words that, until a few years ago, meant very little to me outside of the continuum of colors in a rainbow. Now, it's a phrase I hear coming out of my mouth frequently when talking with homeschool parents about the incredible diversity of learning brains we get to encounter in our work.
My daughter, Malana, is a remarkable 6-yr-old, with quite an impish sense of humor, and a great love for horses, puzzles, rasberries, drawing, and everything having a place or purpose. She took to coding early, and has elaborate imaginatory worlds she adores interacting with each day, that I have learned how to support by literally asking my AI assistant, ChatGPT, for game ideas.
I have a shelf of books on teaching & parenting a kid on the spectrum, most of which I've read, but it's burdensome to refer to one in a moment of chaos and weariness. In my experience, it's often us parents who first need to take the deep belly breath, count to 10, and be reminded that it's all gonna be ok. The AI is like an even, reliable friend who can respond to my voice prompt with the most creative and effective plan of action. All in less than a minute!
How to do it? See below:
Sometimes we look at pictures sideways and laugh at how different the world is from that angle!
When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.✨
-Arthur C. Clarke’s three adages on the future
A simple example of how to use ChatGPT to identify a game that could help calm a student on the spectrum that's having trouble connecting:
Open Chat GPT
Click top Left that reads "+ new chat" to start a new conversation
Type in a prompt. My example: "What game can I play with my student on the spectrum who's having trouble connecting?"
Here's what the ai recommended:
One game that you can play using AI to help calm your student on the autism spectrum is a virtual pet or companion game. These games can be interactive and engaging, providing a sense of connection and comfort to individuals, especially those who may have difficulty connecting with others in real-life social situations. Here's how you can do it:
Choose a Virtual Pet Game: Look for a virtual pet or companion game that is available on a tablet, smartphone, or computer. There are several options available, some specifically designed for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Introduce the Game: Show the game to your student and explain that it's like having a virtual pet or friend on the screen.
Interact... Observe... Share...
For more, try it with your ai!
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