Artificial intelligence can be used for good in autism community

An artificial intelligence-powered app is helping parents of children with autism, writes our guest columnist, who says AI shouldn’t replace humans. It should help a parent remember what to teach their child — to extend the reach of services for autistic children.

I’m sure you are sick of hearing about artificial intelligence taking over the world, but this is not the same AI story.

This is a story about autism, a mother’s journey and how AI might help.

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Thirty years ago, no one knew about autism. The most anyone knew was from the movie “Rain Man.” Today, it seems as if everyone knows someone with autism. Even high-profile celebrities, such as Anthony Hopkins, are sharing their autism.

However, not all autistic people are the same.

Autism for one person can mean difficulties understanding sarcasm or trouble making friends. A memory comes to mind of when I told a joke to a patient who very seriously told me, “That isn’t funny at all. You should practice your joke telling.”

While my joke was terrible, you can imagine such direct feedback is not always welcomed by friends.

For others, autism means not being able to speak, never learning how to put on your own clothes or how to shower. People with profound autism, who account for 26% of the autistic population, have very different needs. For them, the “phase” where you, their parent, must watch them 24/7 lasts forever.

Despite these differences, autistic people have one very big thing in common. They need services that are not readily available.

Someone once told me that you always want to be special and unique, except when it comes to medical emergencies. In a medical emergency, you hope what you have is something doctors have seen before and know how to treat.

This is where artificial intelligence can help.

As a clinician and researcher, AI is another tool to help me advance solutions for the autistic population.

Let me give you an example. Recently, I completed a project called BehaviorBuddy, an app that uses AI to help parents teach their autistic children how to talk.

The inspiration came from my own son, James. When James was 2 years old, I took him for his annual checkup. He was a rambunctious toddler who chatted away the entire appointment. At the end of the appointment, I’ll never forget the way the doctor looked me straight in the eyes and said, “I haven’t understood a word he’s said. I recommend speech therapy.”

So began our journey of weekly sessions.

During James’ therapy, I would diligently take notes on what to practice. Then, once I got home, I would forget everything the therapist told me. What was I supposed to do? When was I supposed to do it?

That was my inspiration behind BehaviorBuddy. I wanted to bring the lessons home where parents need them most.

I will admit that I was skeptical. I know I came up with the idea, but I was doubtful an AI-powered app would work. I was wrong. Parents loved it, and — most importantly — the app improved their ability to teach their children by 62%.

AI shouldn’t replace humans. It shouldn’t replace parents, therapists or the human connection. It should help a parent remember what to teach their child — to extend the reach of services.

This isn’t a story about AI taking over the world. It’s a story about AI helping us to take better care of the people in it, especially autistic people and their families.

Leslie Neely is a professor in the College of Education and Human Development and associate director of the Brain Health Consortium at the University of Texas at San Antonio. These views are her own.