Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Technology-enhanced ABA intervention in children with autism: a pilot study

  • Long Paper
  • Published:
Universal Access in the Information Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigates whether ICT technology can enhance applied behavior analysis (ABA) rehabilitation therapy for children with autism. A technology-enhanced rehabilitation system to support the daily work of ABA tutors, parents and teachers was created, involving ABA experts and parents of autistic children in the entire design phase, in order to better understand the system’s functional requirements and enhance its usability. Thus, combining the ABA programs with a learning analytics tool, an open-source Web application , ABCD SW, was implemented for teaching and monitoring learning in low-functioning autistic children. In a small pilot study the system was tested on seven children with autism enrolled in an intensive intervention lasting 9 months. The children were assessed before and after the pilot test, using Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales to measure their personal and social skills. Test participants showed improved communication, especially in the expressive category (p < 0.05). Subjective feedback from the ABA team involved in the user test confirmed the children’s improvement in socialization, communication and behavior. ABCD SW expedites the intervention (thus increasing its efficiency) and makes it more pleasant for the children. Furthermore, ABCD SW enables caregivers to easily conduct and personalize the intervention, reducing its cost. The study seems to suggest that ABCD SW, and ICT technology in general, can enhance ABA rehabilitation therapy for children with autism, encouraging further investigation of this promising research field.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alter, P.J., Conroy, M.A., Mancil, G.R., Haydon, T.: A comparison of functional behavior assessment methodologies with young children: descriptive methods and functional analysis. J. Behav. Educ. 17(2), 200–219 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Anderson, S.R., Romanczyk, R.G.: Early intervention for young children with autism: continuum-based behavioral models. Res. Pract. Persons Sev. Disabil. 24(3), 162–173 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Artoni, S., Buzzi, M.C., Buzzi, M., Fenili, C., Mencarini, S.: Accessible education for autistic children: ABA-based didactic software. In: International Conference on Universal Access in Human–Computer Interaction, pp. 511–520. Springer, Berlin (2011)

  4. Artoni, S., Pelagatti, S., Buzzi, M.C., Buzzi, M., Senette, C.: Technology-enhanced discriminative programs for children with autism. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare, pp. 331–334. ICST (Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering) (2014)

  5. Association, A.P., et al.: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub, USA (2013)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  6. Baron-Cohen, S., Scott, F.J., Allison, C., Williams, J., Bolton, P., Matthews, F.E., Brayne, C.: Prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions: UK school-based population study. Br. J. Psychiatry 194(6), 500–509 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Burack, J.A., Volkmar, F.R.: Development of low-and high-functioning autistic children. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 33(3), 607–616 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Butter, E.M., Mulick, J.A.: ABA and the computer: a review of the discrete trial trainer. Behav. Interv. 16(4), 287–291 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Corsello, C.M.: Early intervention in autism. Infants Young Child. 18(2), 74–85 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Dawson, G., Jones, E.J., Merkle, K., Venema, K., Lowy, R., Faja, S., Kamara, D., Murias, M., Greenson, J., Winter, J., et al.: Early behavioral intervention is associated with normalized brain activity in young children with autism. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 51(11), 1150–1159 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Dawson, G., Zanolli, K.: Early intervention and brain plasticity in autism. In: Autism: Neural Basis and Treatment Possibilities. Autism center, University of Washington, Seattle, USA, pp. 266–280 (2003)

  12. De Leo, G., Leroy, G.: Smartphones to facilitate communication and improve social skills of children with severe autism spectrum disorder: special education teachers as proxies. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, pp. 45–48. ACM (2008)

  13. Developmental, D.M.N.S.Y., Investigators, .P., et al.: Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years-autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries (Washington, DC, 2002), vol. 63(2), p. 1 (2014)

  14. Dillenburger, K., Keenan, M., Doherty, A., Byrne, T., Gallagher, S.: ABA-based programs for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: parental and professional experiences at school and at home. Child Family Behav. Ther. 34(2), 111–129 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. El Kaliouby, R., Goodwin, M.S.: iSET: interactive social-emotional toolkit for autism spectrum disorder. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Interaction Design and children, pp. 77–80. ACM (2008)

  16. El Kaliouby, R., Picard, R., Baron-Cohen, S.: Affective computing and autism. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1093(1), 228–248 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Eldevik, S., Hastings, R.P., Hughes, J.C., Jahr, E., Eikeseth, S., Cross, S.: Meta-analysis of early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism. J. Clin. Child Adolesc. Psychol. 38(3), 439–450 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Eldevik, S., Jahr, E., Eikeseth, S., Hastings, R.P., Hughes, C.J.: Cognitive and adaptive behavior outcomes of behavioral intervention for young children with intellectual disability. Behav. Modif. 34(1), 16–34 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Fenske, E.C., Zalenski, S., Krantz, P.J., McClannahan, L.E.: Age at intervention and treatment outcome for autistic children in a comprehensive intervention program. Anal. Interv. Dev. Disabil. 5(1–2), 49–58 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Fernell, E., Hedvall, Å., Westerlund, J., Carlsson, L.H., Eriksson, M., Olsson, M.B., Holm, A., Norrelgen, F., Kjellmer, L., Gillberg, C.: Early intervention in 208 Swedish preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. A prospective naturalistic study. Res. Dev. Disabil. 32(6), 2092–2101 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Goodwin, M.S.: Enhancing and accelerating the pace of autism research and treatment: the promise of developing innovative technology. Focus Autism Other Dev. Disabil. 23(2), 125 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Granpeesheh, D., Tarbox, J., Dixon, D.R.: Applied behavior analytic interventions for children with autism: a description and review of treatment research. Ann. Clin. Psychiatry 21(3), 162–173 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Habash, M.A.: Assistive technology utilization for autism an outline of technology awareness in special needs therapy. In: Second International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology (2005)

  24. Hailpern, J., Karahalios, K., Halle, J., Dethorne, L., Coletto, M.K.: A3: HCI coding guideline for research using video annotation to assess behavior of nonverbal subjects with computer-based intervention. ACM Trans. Access. Comput. (TACCESS) 2(2), 8 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hanley, G.P., Iwata, B.A., McCord, B.E.: Functional analysis of problem behavior: a review. J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 36(2), 147–185 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Hayes, G.R., Hirano, S., Marcu, G., Monibi, M., Nguyen, D.H., Yeganyan, M.: Interactive visual supports for children with autism. Pers. Ubiquit. Comput. 14(7), 663–680 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Hetzroni, O.E., Tannous, J.: Effects of a computer-based intervention program on the communicative functions of children with autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 34(2), 95–113 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Hirano, S.H., Yeganyan, M.T., Marcu, G., Nguyen, D.H., Boyd, L.A., Hayes, G.R.: vSked: evaluation of a system to support classroom activities for children with autism. In: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1633–1642. ACM (2010)

  29. Kanne, S.M., Gerber, A.J., Quirmbach, L.M., Sparrow, S.S., Cicchetti, D.V., Saulnier, C.A.: The role of adaptive behavior in autism spectrum disorders: implications for functional outcome. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 41(8), 1007–1018 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Kientz, J.A., Hayes, G.R., Westeyn, T.L., Starner, T., Abowd, G.D.: Pervasive computing and autism: assisting caregivers of children with special needs. IEEE Pervasive Comput. 6(1), 28–35 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Koegel, L.K., Koegel, R.L., Smith, A.: Variables related to differences in standardized test outcomes for children with autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 27(3), 233–243 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Leaf, R., McEachin, J.: A work in progress: behavior management strategies and a curriculum for intensive behavioral treatment of autism. Drl Books, New York (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lovaas, O.I.: Teaching Developmentally Disabled Children: The Me Book. University Park Press, Baltimore (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Lovaas, O.I.: Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 55(1), 3 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Makrygianni, M.K., Reed, P.: A meta-analytic review of the effectiveness of behavioural early intervention programs for children with autistic spectrum disorders. Res. Autism Spectrum Disord. 4(4), 577–593 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Monibi, M., Hayes, G.R.: Mocotos: mobile communications tools for children with special needs. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, pp. 121–124. ACM (2008)

  37. Muller, M.J.: Participatory design: the third space in HCI. Hum. Comput. Interact. Dev. Process 4235, 165–185 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Murray, D.: Autism and information technology: therapy with computers. In: Powell, S., Jordan, R. (eds.) Autism and Learning: A Guide to Good Practice, pp. 100–117. David Fulton, London, UK (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Myers, S.M., Johnson, C.P., et al.: Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics 120(5), 1162–1182 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. World Health Organization.: The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders: diagnostic criteria for research (1993)

  41. Ospina, M.B., Seida, J.K., Clark, B., Karkhaneh, M., Hartling, L., Tjosvold, L., Vandermeer, B., Smith, V.: Behavioural and developmental interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a clinical systematic review. PLoS ONE 3(11), e3755 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Pino, A., Kouroupetroglou, G.: Ithaca: an open source framework for building component-based augmentative and alternative communication applications. ACM Trans. Access. Comput. (TACCESS) 2(4), 14 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Putnam, C., Chong, L.: Software and technologies designed for people with autism: what do users want? In: Proceedings of the 10th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, pp. 3–10. ACM (2008)

  44. Rao, S.M., Gagie, B.: Learning through seeing and doing: visual supports for children with autism. Teach. Except. Child. 38(6), 26 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Reichow, B.: Overview of meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 42(4), 512–520 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Reichow, B., Wolery, M.: Comprehensive synthesis of early intensive behavioral interventions for young children with autism based on the UCLA young autism project model. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 39(1), 23–41 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Rogers, S.J.: Brief report: early intervention in autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 26(2), 243–246 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Rogers, S.J., Vismara, L., Wagner, A., McCormick, C., Young, G., Ozonoff, S.: Autism treatment in the first year of life: a pilot study of infant start, a parent-implemented intervention for symptomatic infants. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 44(12), 2981–2995 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Rosenwasser, B., Axelrod, S.: The contributions of applied behavior analysis to the education of people with autism. Behav. Modif. 25(5), 671–677 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Rosenwasser, B., Axelrod, S.: More contributions of applied behavior analysis to the education of people with autism. Behav. Modif. 26(1), 3–8 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Sampath, H., Sivaswamy, J., Indurkhya, B.: Assistive systems for children with dyslexia and autism. ACM Sigaccess Access. Comput. 96, 32–36 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Schopler, E., Reichler, R.J., DeVellis, R.F., Daly, K.: Toward objective classification of childhood autism: childhood autism rating scale (cars). J. Autism Dev. Disord. 10(1), 91–103 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Smith, T.: Discrete trial training in the treatment of autism. Focus Autism Other Dev. Disabil. 16(2), 86–92 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Sparrow, S.S.: Vineland adaptive behavior scales. In: Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology, Springer, New York, pp. 2618–2621 (2011)

  55. Virués-Ortega, J.: Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose-response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes. Clin. Psychol. Rev. 30(4), 387–399 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Vismara, L.A., Rogers, S.J.: The early start Denver model: a case study of an innovative practice. J. Early Interv. 31, 91–108 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Vismara, L.A., Rogers, S.J.: Behavioral treatments in autism spectrum disorder: what do we know? Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 6, 447–468 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Walsh, M.B.: The top 10 reasons children with autism deserve ABA. Behav. Anal. Pract. 4(1), 72 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Weiss, M.J.: Expanding ABA intervention in intensive programs for children with autism: the inclusion of natural environment training and fluency based instruction. Behav. Anal. Today 2(3), 182 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Williams, C., Wright, B., Callaghan, G., Coughlan, B.: Do children with autism learn to read more readily by computer assisted instruction or traditional book methods? A pilot study. Autism 6(1), 71–91 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the children, families and the ABA teams who participated in the pilot tests, in particular Claudia Fenili, Simona Mencarini and Patrizio Batistini who evaluated participants. We thank the psychologists Valentina Cutrupi and Eugenia Romano for their support and valuable suggestions in writing this paper. We finally thank Regione Toscana, which funded this project within the framework of the “FAS 2007 2013 Delibera CIPE 166/2007 PAR FAS Regione Toscana Action Line 1.1.a.3” and the Registro.it for partially funding this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Silvia Artoni & Susanna Pelagatti

  2. Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy

    Luca Bastiani & Olivia Curzio

  3. Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), CNR, Pisa, Italy

    Maria Claudia Buzzi, Marina Buzzi & Caterina Senette

Authors
  1. Silvia Artoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luca Bastiani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Claudia Buzzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marina Buzzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Olivia Curzio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Susanna Pelagatti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Caterina Senette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marina Buzzi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Artoni, S., Bastiani, L., Buzzi, M.C. et al. Technology-enhanced ABA intervention in children with autism: a pilot study. Univ Access Inf Soc 17, 191–210 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-017-0536-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-017-0536-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation