Assistive Technologies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary of the Chapter Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulties engaging in reciprocal shared behavior and communication. Assistive Technologies (AT) could be helpful in supporting them to make progress in these areas. This chapter gave an overview of scientific literature on treatments for children with ASD using AT published in the last fifteen years. Priority was given to recent and reviewed papers. In reporting studies, a categorization of AT was used based on the type of instrument: video modeling, mobile learning devices, robots, virtual and augmented reality, and serious games. A new tool that emerged from clinical experience and which was tailored to children with ASD needs, called Painteraction, was then presented. The key elements of Painteraction, the technological system, how it works and the study protocol hypotheses were discussed. Improvements required to achieve significant success in treating persons with ASD were reported. In conclusion, interventions using AT represent an emerging field of research. Their expected outcomes are improvements in interventions for individuals with ASD.