An Exploration of the Effectiveness of the use of Communication Apps through Mobile Devices on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
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This document outlines a research project that aims to develop a communication application ("App") for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) based on feedback from parents and professionals. The project will identify limitations of current Picture Exchange Communication Systems, evaluate existing communication Apps, design a prototype App, test its usability, implement the App, and evaluate its effectiveness on children's communication and behavior. Initial findings indicate inconsistent use of current systems outside of school and limitations that may be addressed through a customized App.
An Exploration of the Effectiveness of the use of Communication Apps through Mobile Devices on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- 1. “An Exploration of the effectiveness of the use of Communication Apps through mobile devices on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” Project Plan Contact: Ms. Miriam O’ Sullivan, Post-Graduate Researcher, Institute of Technology Tralee, miriam.osullivan@research.ittralee.ie 085-7020111 Principal Supervisor: Dr. Tom Farrelly Co-Supervisor: Mr. Peter Given Aims and Objectives: • To identify the current use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (P.E.C.S.) among children with ASD and how the limitations can be addressed through the use of an App. • Identify and evaluate the usability of current Apps available that are specific to communication. • To formulate data received from staff and parents for the development of a prototype App. • As a result of the desk and usability study along with data received from staff and parents, design and implement a Communication App. • Conduct a field usability analysis: conduct Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist’s (ATEC) with the participants to ascertain the effects that the App has on their communication, social interaction and behaviour. Literature Review: • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). • Picture Exchange Communication System (P.E.C.S.) and its effectiveness. • Current use of Communication Apps with children with ASD: • Use of mobile devices in Ireland today. • Effects of the use of Communication Apps on children with ASD: Communication, Social Inclusion, Independence, Behaviours that Challenge and Attention Span. • Limitations of the use of Communication Apps and mobile devices. • Sensory Processing in children with ASD. • Technology Research with people with ASD: • The potential contribution of Social Care Professionals to the area of disability and technology. • Ethics. • Research Design. Key Action Points for the next 6 months: • Engage in a focus group with staff and parents of participants to introduce the prototype App. • Development of a number of iterations of the prototype of the App. • Implement the App in September 2015 with participants for next field research stage. Introduction: • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological disorder which effects a child’s social interaction, communication and behaviour (Bluestone, 2005). • In 2008, an estimated 250 children diagnosed with ASD in Co. Kerry. ASD now effects 1 in 100 children in Ireland (Irish Autism Action, 2013); consistent with International trends. • The Autism Society of America has stated that the diagnosis of ASD is growing on average between 10-17% per year. • The use of Apps with children with ASD is a relatively new area of research. Thus, the acknowledgement of the lack of research is essential. The research that has occurred is based on small scale qualitative studies. • This research takes a multi-disciplinary approach developing a Communication App by a Social Care professional in partnership with a school for children with special needs (Nano Nagle School Listowel). The benefits of the Apps take on a holistic approach of a child’s life. Research has shown the potential for the use of these Apps. References: Bluestone, J., 2005, The Fabric of Autism- weaving the threads into a cogent theory, Sapphire Enterprises, LLC, 1300 Dexter Avenue North, #110 The Casey Family Building Seattle, WA 98109. CommunicationAutism, undated, Autism and IT, available from: http://www.communicationautism.com/index.php?pag=autism, accessed on 28/2/2012. Leader G., 2012, Time for a National Autism Strategy, available from: http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/time-for-a-national- autism-strategy-189152.html, accessed on 17/11/2014. Penden M., 2012, Australia at forefront of major autism developments, available from: http://www.examiner.com/article/australia-at- forefront-of-major-autism-developments, accessed on 08/12/2014. Rogers P., 2012, A Helping Hand, Irish Examiner, 21/02/2012. The National Autistic Society, 2014, Designing websites suitable for people with autism spectrum disorder, available from: http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with/leisure-and- environments/designing-websites-suitable-for-people-with-autism- spectrum-disorders.aspx, accessed on 20/11/2014. Irish Autism Action, 2013, Autism is not me. Autism is just an information processing problem that controls who I am, available from: http://www.autismireland.ie/about-autism/what-is-autism/, accessed on 16/12/2014. Time Period Action Method Oct 2014-Dec 2014 (T1) Development of Criteria for the design of Communication Apps. Usability Analysis of Apps. Desk Research. Framework for usability analysis will be developed on foot of the literature review process. Jan/Feb 2015 (T2) Field Research. Observations of how children currently use standard P.E.C.S. in a school setting. Interviews with staff and parents. March/April/ May 2015 (T3) Prototype Design for App. WYSIWYG- App Inventor/ POP/ Dreamweaver & PSPad Editor. Focus group interviews. June 2015 (T4) Initial usability testing of Prototype App. Usability Testing in the Open Lab, Field Research in school setting. September- Early October 2015- Phase 1 (T5) Mid-October- December – Phase 2 Implementation and Modification of the App. Evaluation of implementation of the App. Changes to be made as a result of feedback Structured observations (utilising ATEC) of the children using the App, Questionnaire with Parents and school staff. Feedback from staff and children- structured observations and informal interviews. January/February 2016 (T6) March/April/May 2016 (T7) Final analysis of data. Write up of dissertation. NANO NAGLE SCHOOL LISTOWEL Progress to Date: • Researcher has completed modules in AppInventor 2, html5, CSS and JavaScript. • App usability criteria checklist has been developed (Heuristic tool). • Field research has commenced: staff and parent interviews and observations of participants. • Acknowledgement: Social Care Ireland (Researcher received a bursary from the organisation). • Researcher has developed version 4 of Onei. Initial Findings: • The use of P.E.C.S. outside of school is inconsistent among participants. • Parents and professionals identified that the use of a folder for P.E.C.S. is “messy” and “time consuming in the production of symbols/pictures”. • The motivation to use P.E.C.S. in school is varies among participants. • Parents and professionals reported that the existing PECS symbols are “too abstract” for some children. • 90% of participants have been introduced to using a mobile device within the school or home environment. Methodology: • Design methodologies : • Software: User-Centered Design and • Research: Action Research • Development Tools: WYSIWYG Editors/Cloud Editors, Web Apps, Native Code and Hybrid. • Methodological tools for analysis: • Interviews, • Observations, • Questionnaires. • Standards: • Ethical Standards Disability: The National Disability Authority. • Software Development: ACM/IEEE, User Interface Standards, Mobile App Development Standards, Responsive Design. • Usability testing: Standards and Checklist. • Adherence to Professional Bodies: HISI, UKChip, iChip (Researcher is a student member of UKChip and HISI). Onei IT Tralee