Qazi Fazli Azeem

In 2014, 1 in 68 children have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) according to US data from the Centres for Disease Control. Occurring in all groups (race, income, geographic), ASD is diagnosed 1 in 42 in boys, which is nearly 5 times higher than in girls (1 in 189). Almost half (46%) of children identified with ASD have average to above average intellectual ability. That’s a 78% increase compared to a decade ago. Based on an increase in diagnoses, we can assume that the numbers will continue to increase over time.
Researchers have found that child prodigies have greater number of autistic traits, particularly with attention to detail.  Half of the families of the child prodigies studied reported autism diagnoses in first or second degree relatives, indicating strong links to genetics.
I was aware of savant syndrome and its potential in higher education due to my experiences as an educator, in addition to my role as the South Asian self-advocate for ASD. I knew about magazine and website articles from the US, describing extraordinary abilities and splinter skills such as hyperlexia, perfect pitch, pattern recognition and photographic memory. I wanted to create tools and experiences for neurotypical students, adapted from diverse learning strengths of autistic children with extraordinary abilities. Would these blended, individualized interfaces stimulate neurotypical students to learn effectively and efficiently, in the same way that they help gifted people on the autism spectrum?
In order to answer my researchable question, I created sensory-neutral interface design case studies for learners with ASD, which helped them access digital educational content (online or offline). These interfaces can also be used by neurotypical
learners, providing more tools to access digital resources. Additionally, I created an adaptive experience for both neurotypical as well as autistic learners, inspired by self-directed interest-based learning, a common trait of learners on the autism spectrum. My case studies and interaction design projects allow greater choices for both educators and students,
where few existed before. My goal is to facilitate inclusion by using dynamic media technologies that help optimize learning for a greater number of people.

Temple Grandin, Liane Holliday Willey, Anita Lesko, Stephen M. Shore, and many other Aspie mentors, offer their personal guidance on coping with the daily stressors that Aspies have identified as being the most significant, in order of urgency - anxiety, self-esteem, change, meltdowns, depression, friendship, love, and much, much more. Based on years of personal experience, this book is packed with advice from Aspie mentors who have all been there and done that! World expert Dr. Tony Attwood rounds up each chapter with professional analysis and extensive recommendations. He includes essential information on destructive strategies that may look attractive, but that have counter-productive effects.

This new research on New Media in Pakistan was commissioned by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) to Mauj, Collective for Open technology, Art and Culture in Karachi, following the participation of one of the 4 founders, Atteqa Malik, in the Mini Summit on New Media Art Policy and Practice, held in partnership with the International Symposium on Electronic Art in 2008.

The first version of the research was completed in 2010 as a collaborative project of Mauj Media Collective with the support of the ASEF’s project officer, Jerneja Rebernak. It has been further updated in July 2011 by the research’s coordinator Atteqa Malik and Valentina Riccardi from ASEF (Asia Europe Foundation) and the European Comission.

I am a credited research contributor for this report, which also noted my interaction with the Pakistan Software Export Board and the movement to have an academia-industry linkage to promote Pakistan's growing game design & development industry.

I am a credited research contributor for this report, which was done by the British Council of Pakistan. The report covers how the educated youth of Pakistan see our collective future, their professional and educational ambitions and the vision required for national progress.

The cover article for the “Autism Network” was written by me. This is an internationally read Journal published quarterly by the National Centre for Autism, New Dehli, India.

Autism Network (Journal), Vol. 6, Issue 2., National Centre for Autism, Dehli, India.    August 1, 2011