Technology and the Neurodivergent Family

Abstract: Research on media, technology, and neurodivergence has expanded greatly over the past decade to be more inclusive of neurodivergent (ND) adults (particularly those identifying as autistic and/or with ADHD) and to consider non-therapeutic technological use cases (e.g., higher education, workplace). However, ND adult technology use is vastly understudied within the context of parenting and is also largely siloed from research on ND child and adolescent technology use in the domestic sphere, despite growing awareness of the strong genetic basis of neurodivergence and increasing autism and ADHD diagnosis rates. This talk delves into initial findings from an in-depth interview study of over 30 ND parents of ND kids ages 9-17 in the U.S. and their perspectives on the ethics of emerging technology for ND young people. Grounded in family systems theory and attentive to the complex interpersonal and technological dynamics within households, I propose that studying ND families holistically generates important insights into the social, political, and ethical stakes of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, VR) for marginalized populations and has implications for the development, design, and implementation of technology that accounts for a wider array of human differences.

Bio: Dr. Meryl Alper is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Northeastern University. Dr. Alper additionally holds the positions of Affiliate Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Affiliate Associate Professor in the University’s Health, Humanities, and Society Program. At Northeastern, she researches the social, cultural, and health implications of communication technologies, with a focus on disability, digital media, and children and families’ technology use. Her books and articles have received accolades from the Association of American Publishers, American Library Association, International Communication Association, and American Sociological Association. In her research and teaching, Dr. Alper also draws on over 20 years of professional experience in the children’s media industry as a researcher, strategist, and consultant with organizations such as Sesame Workshop, PBS KIDS, Nickelodeon, and Disney.

Co-sponsored with CLL.

This seminar is both online and in-person: Zoom Link