Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Who Participate in FIRST Robotics

Authors

Karin M. Fisher, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Benjamin Gallegos, University of PortlandFollow
Taylor Bousfield, University of Central FloridaFollow

Abstract

One of the challenges of educating adolescents with autism spectrum disorders is to find activities that are interesting and engaging. Researchers have shown that adolescents with autism often are attracted to technology. Using an exploratory research method, the experiences of three students with autism who participated in after school robotics clubs were analyzed. Common themes to emerge were the students with ASD were engaged and interested in FIRST robotics and technology. Specifically, they enjoyed coming up with ideas, inventions, and creating or solving missions. Their confidence increased and they learned to work better on teams. Additionally, they needed significant supports to participate in FIRST Robotics.

First Page

57

Last Page

76

DOI

10.20429/stem.2019.030105

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Fisher, Karin M.; Gallegos, Benjamin; and Bousfield, Taylor (2019) "Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Who Participate in FIRST Robotics," Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2019): Vol. 3, Article 5.
DOI: 10.20429/stem.2019.030105
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/stem_proceedings/vol3/iss1/5