“An Exploration of the effectiveness of the use of Communication Apps through mobile devices on Children with Autism Spectrum

Disorder”

Project Plan

Contact:

Miriam O’ Sullivan, Institute of Technology Tralee, Miriam.OSullivan@research.ittralee.ie

086-0534101Principal Supervisor: Dr. Tom FarrellyCo-Supervisor: Mr. Peter Given

Aims and Objectives:

• To identify the current use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) 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.

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and its effectiveness.

• Current use of Communication Apps with children with ASD.

• Design methodologies : Software and research.

• Development Tools: WYSIWYG Editors/Cloud Editors, Web Apps, Native Code and Hybrid.

• Methodological tools for analysis.• Standards : Ethical Standards (Disability

and Software development). The National Disability Authority, ACM/IEEE, User Interface Standards, Mobile App Development Standards, Responsive Design.

• Professional Bodies: HISI, UKChip, iChip.• Usability testing.• Sensory Processing in children with ASD

(The National Autistic Society, 2014).

Key Action Points for the next 6 months:

• Researcher to continue learning and developing skills in HTML5, CSS, Java Script and App Inventor.

• Liaise with the identified site (school for children with special needs) to begin field research- structured observations and structured interviews.

• Development of App usability criteria. • Development of a prototype for the App.

Introduction:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological disorder which effects a child’s social interaction, communication and behaviour.

• In 2012, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention stated that ASD effects 1 in 88 children in the US. In 2008, there was an estimated 250 children diagnosed with ASD in Co. Kerry. 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 information and research is essential. The research that has occurred is based on small scale qualitative studies.

• This research takes a multi-disciplinary approach through focusing on the development of a Communication App in partnership with a school for children with special needs. 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

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 PECS in a school setting.

Interviews with staff and parents

March/April/

May 2015 (T3)

Prototype Design for App

WYSIWYG- App Inventor/ POP/ Dreamweaver

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-November – 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