Conversation skills training for people with autism through virtual reality: using responsible research and innovation approach

Advances in Autism, Ahead of Print. Purpose Users ’ role in co-designing products has changed: from influencing outcomes to influencing development/design; from standardizing to customising products/outcomes; from participating to engaging designers/developers. Although this participatory design (PD) approach makes users’ role more prominent it has been under-utilised for the technological development of products for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD). The purpose of this paper is to present a responsible research and innovation example, in conversation skills training for people with autism, using virtual reality (VR). D esign/methodology/approach The PD approach was adopted during the iterative development of the virtual world and training materials. Multiple baseline design was utilised consisting of three participants on the mild/moderate end of the autism spectrum. Participants joined 15–16 sessions over four phases of structured conversations, delivered both face-to-face and virtually. Findings The feedback sessions revealed that the participants felt VR has the potential in providing training for people with autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, they thought delivering the training in three formats co uld enhance their learning, since PowerPoints, videos and chatbot would represent teaching, showing and practicing, respectively. Social implications PD promotes a “one-size-fits-one approach”, cultivating agile, inclusive, responsive design ap...
Source: Advances in Autism - Category: Child Development Source Type: research