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Pino MC, Vagnetti R, Tiberti S, Valenti M, Mazza M. Involving autism stakeholders in identifying priorities for interventions based on augmented reality. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2024; 19:712-720. [PMID: 36074593 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2120103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Literature supports the use of technological tools such as augmented reality, 3 D avatars and mobile devices to improve individuals with autism spectrum disorder skills. Possibilities of including these technological tools in intervention and the critical issues related to intervention design are essential research questions. The aim of the current work is to present an interdisciplinary research study on the design of an autism intervention considering these technologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study used qualitative evidence and thematic analysis to identify the main design guidelines. A semi-structured interview was administered to a total of twenty participants representing four stakeholder categories: ASD, clinicians, therapists and caregivers. Interviews focussed on three dimensions related to user, technology and environment since they represent a complex system within which the individual using technology is situated. RESULTS Thematic analysis of the interviews identified a total of 10 themes considered central to the design of the technological intervention. CONCLUSIONS Since the application of technology in autism intervention is a relatively new area, the guidelines related to the potential incentives and barriers of the proposed technology are helpful to inform future treatment studies.Implications for RehabilitationThis study highlights the strengths and barriers associated with the use of smartphones and augmented reality in autism spectrum disorder interventions considering the dimensions within which the user using assistive technology is located.Strengths and major concerns that emerged are key points to consider during the development of the technological intervention.Considering these points can foster the use of technology within the intervention and promote its effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Pino
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Autism of the Abruzzo Region, Local Health Unit ASL 1, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Vagnetti
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sergio Tiberti
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Valenti
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Autism of the Abruzzo Region, Local Health Unit ASL 1, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Monica Mazza
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Regional Reference Centre for Autism of the Abruzzo Region, Local Health Unit ASL 1, L'Aquila, Italy
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Hu Y, Sun X, Yao C, Luo S, Liu B, Xue M, Lyu H. Object-centered family interactions for young autistic children: a diary study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5460. [PMID: 38443572 PMCID: PMC10915142 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55177-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Autistic Children often struggle with social interaction and communication, studies have found that many of them prefer to interact with objects than people. However, there is a lack of research exploring the specific characteristics and factors involved in interactions within families with autistic children where objects are the center of the interaction. This paper describes the process and findings of a diary study exploring how young autistic children interact with their families through objects in natural scenarios. A one-week diary study was conducted with six families with young autistic children. Diary videos were recorded onsite and coded later according to a social interaction behavior scheme with corresponding diary entries. Qualitative data analysis was conducted to reveal possible patterns. Results revealed ongoing difficulties in establishing and maintaining family interaction and identified influential factors of object-centered family interaction. The most prevalent pattern observed was parents taking the lead in interactions, followed by the child's confirmation response. Remarkably, daily necessities emerged as potential physical mediums for enhancing family interactions, opening avenues for exploring tangible designs in human-computer interaction. These findings offer valuable implications for future research and the development of innovative designs that promote enriching interactions for autistic children and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Hu
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China
- Ningbo Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Xu Sun
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China.
- Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, 315101, China.
| | - Cheng Yao
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Shijian Luo
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bingjian Liu
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China
- Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, 315101, China
| | - Mengru Xue
- Ningbo Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Hui Lyu
- Ningbo Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Ningbo, 315100, China
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Toma MV, Turcu CE, Turcu CO, Vlad S, Tiliute DE, Pascu P. Extended Reality-Based Mobile App Solutions for the Therapy of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Systematic Literature Review. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e49906. [PMID: 38373032 PMCID: PMC10913001 DOI: 10.2196/49906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has driven research interest on the therapy of individuals with autism, especially children, as early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to improvement in the condition. With the widespread availability of virtual reality, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality technologies to the public and the increasing popularity of mobile devices, the interest in the use of applications and technologies to provide support for the therapy of children with autism is growing. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe the literature on the potential of virtual reality, AR, and mixed reality technologies in the context of therapy for children with ASD. We propose to investigate and analyze the temporal distribution of relevant papers, identify the target audience for studies related to extended reality apps in ASD therapy, examine the technologies used in the development of these apps, assess the skills targeted for improvement in primary studies, explore the purposes of the proposed solutions, and summarize the results obtained from their application. METHODS For the systematic literature review, 6 research questions were defined in the first phase, after which 5 international databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and ACM Digital Library) were searched using specific search strings. Results were centralized, filtered, and processed applying eligibility criteria and using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The results were refined using a technical and IT-oriented approach. The quality criteria assessed whether the research addressed ASDs, focused on children's therapy, involved targeted technologies, deployed solutions on mobile devices, and produced results relevant to our study. RESULTS In the first step, 179 publications were identified in Zotero reference manager software (Corporation for Digital Scholarship). After excluding articles that did not meet the eligibility or quality assessment criteria, 28 publications were finalized. The analysis revealed an increase in publications related to apps for children with autism starting in 2015 and peaking in 2019. Most studies (22/28, 79%) focused on mobile AR solutions for Android devices, which were developed using the Unity 3D platform and the Vuforia engine. Although 68% (19/28) of these apps were tested with children, 32% (9/28) were tested exclusively by developers. More than half (15/28, 54%) of the studies used interviews as an evaluation method, yielding mostly favorable although preliminary results, indicating the need for more extensive testing. CONCLUSIONS The findings reported in the studies highlight the fact that these technologies are appropriate for the therapy of children with ASD. Several studies showed a distinct trend toward the use of AR technology as an educational tool for people with ASD. This trend entails multidisciplinary cooperation and an integrated research approach, with an emphasis on comprehensive empirical evaluations and technology ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian-Vladut Toma
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Cristina Elena Turcu
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Corneliu Octavian Turcu
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Sorin Vlad
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Doru Eugen Tiliute
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
| | - Paul Pascu
- Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
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Dubois-Sage M, Jacquet B, Jamet F, Baratgin J. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder Could Interact More Easily with a Robot than with a Human: Reasons and Limits. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:131. [PMID: 38392485 PMCID: PMC10886012 DOI: 10.3390/bs14020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder show deficits in communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Interacting with robots could bring benefits to this population, notably by fostering communication and social interaction. Studies even suggest that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder could interact more easily with a robot partner rather than a human partner. We will be looking at the benefits of robots and the reasons put forward to explain these results. The interest regarding robots would mainly be due to three of their characteristics: they can act as motivational tools, and they are simplified agents whose behavior is more predictable than that of a human. Nevertheless, there are still many challenges to be met in specifying the optimum conditions for using robots with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Dubois-Sage
- Laboratoire Cognitions Humaine et Artificielle, RNSR 200515259U, UFR de Psychologie, Université Paris 8, 93526 Saint-Denis, France
| | - Baptiste Jacquet
- Laboratoire Cognitions Humaine et Artificielle, RNSR 200515259U, UFR de Psychologie, Université Paris 8, 93526 Saint-Denis, France
- Association P-A-R-I-S, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Frank Jamet
- Laboratoire Cognitions Humaine et Artificielle, RNSR 200515259U, UFR de Psychologie, Université Paris 8, 93526 Saint-Denis, France
- Association P-A-R-I-S, 75005 Paris, France
- UFR d'Éducation, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | - Jean Baratgin
- Laboratoire Cognitions Humaine et Artificielle, RNSR 200515259U, UFR de Psychologie, Université Paris 8, 93526 Saint-Denis, France
- Association P-A-R-I-S, 75005 Paris, France
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Rashedi RN, Bonnet K, Schulte RJ, Schlundt DG, Swanson AR, Kinsman A, Bardett N, Juárez P, Warren ZE, Biswas G, Kunda M. Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Technology-Based Social Skills Interventions for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis of Parent Perspectives. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:4321-4336. [PMID: 34637019 PMCID: PMC8506475 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05315-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Interest continues to be high in technology-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the preferences and challenges of technology use among individuals with ASD can inform the design of such interventions. Through 18 interviews with parents, we used an iterative inductive-deductive approach to qualitative analysis and explored uses of technology for social skills development among adolescents with ASD. Our findings include parents’ observations about their adolescent’s preferences in types of technology devices and digital content, as well as both positive and negative effects of technology use on mood and behavior. Parents highlighted several avenues of technological preferences and risks that may inform intervention design, enhance user engagement, and capitalize on users’ strengths while buttressing areas for growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne N Rashedi
- Vanderbilt University, School of Engineering, 2301 Vanderbilt Pl, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Kemberlee Bonnet
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Pl, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schulte
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Pl, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - David G Schlundt
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Pl, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Amy R Swanson
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Amy Kinsman
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Nicole Bardett
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Pablo Juárez
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Zachary E Warren
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, 110 Magnolia Cir, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Gautam Biswas
- Vanderbilt University, School of Engineering, 2301 Vanderbilt Pl, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Maithilee Kunda
- Vanderbilt University, School of Engineering, 2301 Vanderbilt Pl, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
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Dechsling A, Shic F, Zhang D, Marschik PB, Esposito G, Orm S, Sütterlin S, Kalandadze T, Øien RA, Nordahl-Hansen A. Virtual reality and naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 111:103885. [PMID: 33548742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) have been evaluated as the most promising interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. In recent years, a growing body of literature suggests that technological advancements such as Virtual Reality (VR) are promising intervention tools. However, to the best of our knowledge no studies have combined evidence-based practice with such tools. AIM This article aims to review the current literature combining NDBI and VR, and provide suggestions on merging NDBI-approaches with VR. METHODS This article is divided into two parts, where we first conduct a review mapping the research applying NDBI-approaches in VR. In the second part we argue how to apply the common features of NDBI into VR-technology. RESULTS Our findings show that no VR-studies explicitly rely on NDBI-approaches, but some utilize elements in their interventions that are considered to be common features to NDBI. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS As the results show, to date, no VR-based studies have utilized NDBI in their intervention. We therefore, in the second part of this article, suggests ways to merge VR and NDBI and introduce the term Virtual Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (VNDBI). VNDBI is an innovative way of implementing NDBI which will contribute in making interventions more accessible in central as well as remote locations, while reducing unwanted variation between service sites. VNDBI will advance the possibilities of individually tailoring and widen the area of interventions. In addition, VNDBI can provide the field with new knowledge on effective components enhancing the accuracy in the intervention packages and thus move forward the research field and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederick Shic
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, USA
| | - Dajie Zhang
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Systemic Ethology and Development Research, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Göttingen, Germany; iDN - Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Systemic Ethology and Development Research, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Göttingen, Germany; iDN - Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Psychology Program - SSS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Stian Orm
- Frambu Resource Centre for Rare Disorders, Norway
| | - Stefan Sütterlin
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Health and Welfare, Østfold University College, Norway
| | | | - Roald A Øien
- Department of Education, The Arctic University of Norway - University of Tromsø, Norway; Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, USA
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