Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming modern life, and it holds immense potential for supporting children with disabilities. From personalized learning tools to assistive technologies, AI can support children with disabilities at home and at school.
AI at Home
Most of us already use AI at home. We talk to our phones, Alexa, Siri and Google. They can turn on our lights, lock our doors and even vacuum our homes. Voice-controlled devices like these help children with disabilities operate household appliances, control smart home features. They also help them access information and entertainment, supporting independence, autonomy and confidence. AI-driven software supports children’s learning needs at home too. Just think about how educational apps already adjust to a child’s unique learning pace, strengths and challenges. It can help children who struggle with reading or writing as they benefit from text-to-speech and speech-to- text technologies. AI tools like ChatGPT can summarize information at different reading levels, making it more accessible and easier to comprehend.
AI at School
Your child’s teachers may be using AI to help them create inclusive learning environments tailored to individual learning needs. They may use automated captioning in PowerPoint presentations for children with hearing umpairments or tools that describe visual content on computers. They may also be using AI to create visual aids to help children understand a concept.
Many of the same tools used at home may also be used at school. For example, students may use AI to help them write emails. Teachers may use it to help them create social stories to help children understand how to respond in different situations. It may be used to help students brainstorm writing topics, explain how to solve math problems and create illustrations to help them understand a new concept in science. It can even help students with physical challenges to create their own music in music class. AI is already helping teachers implement accommodations included in a child’s IEP.
Challenges of AI
However, AI is not without its challenges. Some parents and teachers may be concerned that AI is being used to cheat. Others may worry that AI is limiting what their children are actually learning. It’s important for parents and teachers to be clear with children about when and how AI is to be used. Help them to remember that, like a calculator, AI is a tool to help them learn, grow and function independently.
Where Do We Go from Here?
The truth is that nobody knows. While AI in the form of calculators, spell checks and Alexa has been around for a while now, we’re still in the early stages of using AI for everyday tasks and learning. Each day, new technologies are announced, and existing ones now have AI integrated into them. More and more AI tools are on the horizon that will further support children with disabilities at home, at school and in our community.
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