REHAB 2014

Research Article

Technology-Enhanced Discriminative Programs for Children with Autism

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2014.255258,
        author={Silvia Artoni and Maria Claudia Buzzi and Marina Buzzi and Susanna Pelagatti and Caterina Senette},
        title={Technology-Enhanced Discriminative Programs for Children with Autism},
        proceedings={REHAB 2014},
        publisher={ICST},
        proceedings_a={REHAB},
        year={2014},
        month={7},
        keywords={technology-enhanced training autism aba data analysis},
        doi={10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2014.255258}
    }
    
  • Silvia Artoni
    Maria Claudia Buzzi
    Marina Buzzi
    Susanna Pelagatti
    Caterina Senette
    Year: 2014
    Technology-Enhanced Discriminative Programs for Children with Autism
    REHAB
    ICST
    DOI: 10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2014.255258
Silvia Artoni1, Maria Claudia Buzzi2, Marina Buzzi2,*, Susanna Pelagatti1, Caterina Senette2
  • 1: UNIPI
  • 2: IIT-CNR
*Contact email: marina.buzzi@iit.cnr.it

Abstract

Autism impacts a subject's communication, socialization and language abilities with different degrees of severity. Intensive therapy is needed to improve and maintain these abilities over time. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) enriches communication with images, video or gestures to help children with autism understand a task. Discrete Trial Training (DTT), breaking up a task into small trials of increasing levels of difficulty (structured trials), is used in teaching autistic children. In this paper, we compare the progress of seven autistic children while carrying out both traditional and technology-enhanced Applied Behavior Analysis programs, including matching, receptive and expressive trials. Results show that with ABCD software learning time is reduced, as children in the sample required less time to master new articles and generalize previously mastered skills.