“The ultimate goal is to develop a system that would transmit an alert and allow time to prepare for episodes… ‘What we’re attempting to do is shift the paradigm of how we approach this… If you know something is coming, it opens up all these options to intervene.'” – Matthew Siegel of the Maine Medical Center Research Institute
This is really interesting. With autism, I feel like there are at least two disadvantages when it comes to unexpected emotions.
Either your emotions are so overwhelming that you can’t think straight, so you definitely can’t express yourself effectively, so you get even more upset and lash out. Or there’s alexithymia, where you basically don’t realize you’re getting anxious or upset or whatever, until it builds up and you explode.
I would be interested in seeing which of these this device would work with. Ideally, both. It would be really great for people with autism to use to self-regulate, as well (a point that is not considered in the article, which solely focuses on how the device would help family members and other caregivers).
I personally would pay good money for a device that tells me when I need to calm down, if it could prevent a more serious meltdown later on.
via Fitbit-Like Device Shows Promise In Predicting Autism Aggression – Disability Scoop
Adriana Lebrón White 