Digital technologies are permeating our educational, employment and social worlds. This lecture will discuss the psychological impact of this increasingly digital world upon us, with specific reference to autism.

Autism raises interesting questions, such as ‘what effect is social media having on those who have difficulties with social communication and interaction?’ Autistic people are often argued to have an affinity for digital technologies and this lecture will also discuss how ‘participatory design’ enables autistic people to actively participate in the design and development of digital technologies.

Finally, the implications for how we think and reason will be discussed.