“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.ie085-7020111

Principal Supervisor: Dr. Tom FarrellyCo-Supervisor: Mr. Peter Given

Aims and Objectives:

• To identify the current use of thePicture Exchange Communication System(P.E.C.S.) among children with ASD andhow the limitations can be addressedthrough the use of an App.

• Identify and evaluate the usability ofcurrent Apps available that are specificto communication.

• To formulate data received from staffand parents for the development of aprototype App.

• As a result of the desk and usabilitystudy along with data received from staffand parents, design and implement aCommunication App.

• Conduct a field usability analysis: conductAutism Treatment Evaluation Checklist’s(ATEC) with the participants to ascertainthe effects that the App has on theircommunication, social interaction andbehaviour.

Literature Review:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

• Picture Exchange Communication System(P.E.C.S.) and its effectiveness.

• Current use of Communication Apps withchildren with ASD:

• Use of mobile devices inIreland today.

• Effects of the use ofCommunication Apps onchildren with ASD:Communication, SocialInclusion, Independence,Behaviours that Challenge andAttention Span.

• Limitations of the use ofCommunication Apps and mobiledevices.

• Sensory Processing in children with ASD.• Technology Research with people with

ASD:• The potential contribution of

Social Care Professionals tothe area of disability andtechnology.

• Ethics.• Research Design.

Key Action Points for the next 6 months:

• Engage in a focus group with staff andparents of participants to introduce theprototype App.

• Development of a number of iterations ofthe prototype of the App.

• Implement the App in September 2015with participants for next field researchstage.

Introduction:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is acomplex neurological disorder whicheffects a child’s social interaction,communication and behaviour (Bluestone,2005).

• In 2008, an estimated 250 childrendiagnosed with ASD in Co. Kerry. ASD noweffects 1 in 100 children in Ireland (IrishAutism Action, 2013); consistent withInternational trends.

• The Autism Society of America has statedthat the diagnosis of ASD is growing onaverage between 10-17% per year.

• The use of Apps with children with ASD isa relatively new area of research. Thus,the acknowledgement of the lack ofresearch is essential. The research thathas occurred is based on small scalequalitative studies.

• This research takes a multi-disciplinaryapproach developing a Communication Appby a Social Care professional inpartnership with a school for children withspecial needs (Nano Nagle SchoolListowel). The benefits of the Apps takeon a holistic approach of a child’s life.Research has shown the potential for theuse of these Apps.

References: Bluestone, J., 2005, The Fabric of Autism- weaving the threads into acogent 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, accessedon 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 forpeople 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 aninformation processing problem that controls who I am, available from:http://www.autismireland.ie/about-autism/what-is-autism/, accessed on16/12/2014.

Time Period Action MethodOct 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/February2016 (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 inAppInventor 2, html5, CSS andJavaScript.

• App usability criteria checklist hasbeen developed (Heuristic tool).

• Field research has commenced: staffand parent interviews andobservations of participants.

• Acknowledgement: Social CareIreland (Researcher received abursary from the organisation).

• Researcher has developed version 4of 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 DevelopmentStandards, 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