scholarly journals A method of creating personae for children with autism spectrum condition: application and revision

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-122
Author(s):  
Misbahu S. Zubair ◽  
David Brown ◽  
Thomas Hughes-Roberts ◽  
Matthew Bates
Keyword(s):  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Visual Programming ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Programming Tool ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
User Data ◽  
Spectrum Condition

Purpose Personae are simple tools for describing users, their characteristics and their goals. They are valuable tools when designing for a specific group of users, such as children with autism spectrum condition (ASC). The purpose of this paper is to propose, validate and revise a methodology for creating accurate, data grounded personae for children with ASC. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method is based mainly on Cooper et al.’s (2007) persona construction method. It proposes gathering and analysing qualitative data from users and experts to either create a new persona or extend an existing one. The method is then applied to create personae for the design of a visual programming tool for children with ASC. Based on the results of the application, observations and lessons learnt, a revised version of the method is proposed. Findings The method’s combined use of user data and expert knowledge produced a set of personae that have been well reviewed by experts so far. The method’s use of a questionnaire to validate personae also produced relevant qualitative feedback. On review, possible downsides of extending existing personae were identified. Therefore, a revised method was introduced, eliminating the need to extend existing personae, and stressing the importance of utilising user data, expert knowledge and feedback. Originality/value This paper addresses the need for a well-defined method for creating data grounded personae that accurately describe the characteristics and goals of children with ASC. Such personae can be used to design and develop more accessible and usable products.

scholarly journals Designing accessible visual programming tools for children with autism spectrum condition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misbahu S. Zubair ◽  
David J. Brown ◽  
Thomas Hughes-Roberts ◽  
Matthew Bates
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Interactive Media ◽  
Visual Representations ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Visual Programming ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Programming Tools ◽  
Spectrum Condition

AbstractVisual programming tools allow users to create interactive media projects such as games and animations using visual representations of programming concepts. Although these tools have been shown to have huge potential for teaching children, research has shown that they may not be accessible for children with cognitive impairments, including those with autism spectrum condition. Therefore, this study proposes a set of recommendations for the design of accessible visual programming tools for children with autism spectrum condition. Semi-structured interviews with experts ($$n=7$$ n = 7 ) were conducted and thematically analysed to identify initial recommendations. A second set of semi-structured interviews with a subset of the initial experts ($$n=3$$ n = 3 ) were then conducted to validate and produce a final set of recommendations.

An evaluation of the online post-diagnostic groups facilitated by the autism spectrum condition service at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Anne Hatton ◽  
Ming Xuan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Spectrum Condition ◽  
Developmental Condition ◽  
Online Group

Purpose Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong developmental condition. According to research, it is recommended that those diagnosed with ASC should be offered post-diagnosis support to explore their diagnosis (Punshow, Skirrow and Murphy, 2009). The ASC Diagnostic Assessment Service at Gloucestershire Health Care (GHC) NHS Foundation Trust offers an assessment service to adults (18+) located within Gloucestershire. All those who receive a diagnosis are then invited to a 7-week post-diagnostic group facilitated by the multidisciplinary team. This service evaluation aimed to evaluate the aforementioned group so that it can be improved upon and thus provide a better service for future clients. Design/methodology/approach In total, 14 participants (6 males, 8 females) were interviewed for the purpose of this evaluation following their attendance at these groups. Findings The interview transcripts then underwent thematic analysis with four themes identified; “Autistic Community”, “Experience of Being Part of an Online Group”, “Opportunity for Consolidation”, and “Design Considerations and Improvements”. Further sub-themes were also identified. Overall, the service evaluation identified that the group provided a platform for sharing experiences and gaining a sense of belonging. It also highlighted that individuals have different preferences for whether groups should be facilitated online or face-to-face, and also different preferences for the duration of sessions. Further analysis also revealed the suggestion that the final session, for family and friends, should be optional so that those without a support network, do not need to attend as this caused unease in some. Further findings were also identified. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, existing articles have only focused on the evaluation of the availability of post-diagnostic provision and autistic individuals’ general impression of it rather than an in-depth evaluation of a specific type of support.

scholarly journals Typicality and emotion in the voice of children with autism spectrum condition: evidence across three languages

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Marchi ◽  
Björn Schuller ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
Ofer Golan ◽  
Sven Bölte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Spectrum Condition ◽  
The Voice

scholarly journals The influence of labelling on symbolic understanding and dual representation in autism spectrum condition

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 239694152093172
Author(s):  
Bethany R Wainwright ◽  
Melissa L Allen ◽  
Kate Cain
Keyword(s):  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Implicit Measure ◽  
Autism Spectrum Condition ◽  
Dual Representation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Spectrum Condition ◽  
Symbolic Understanding ◽  
Exploration Phase

Background and aims Children with autism spectrum condition often have specific difficulties understanding that pictorial symbols refer to real-world objects in the environment. We investigated the influence of labelling on the symbolic understanding and dual representation of children with autism spectrum condition. Methods Children with autism spectrum condition and typically developing children were shown four coloured photographs of objects that had different functions across four separate trials. The participants were given either a novel label alongside a description of the object’s function or a description of the object’s function without a label. Children were then given 30 seconds to interact with an array of stimuli (pictures and objects) in a mapping test and in a generalisation test for each trial. This exploration phase allowed for spontaneous word–picture–referent mapping through free-play, providing an implicit measure of symbolic understanding. Results We found no significant difference in word–picture–referent mapping between groups and conditions. Both groups more often performed the described action on the target object in the exploration phase regardless of condition. Conclusions and implications Our results suggest that a spontaneous measure of symbolic understanding (such as free-play) may reveal competencies in word–picture–referent mapping in autism spectrum condition.

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