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C - 18An Informal Intervention to Promote Social Engagement Using Communication Technologies with an Adult with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder

2018; Oxford University Press; Volume: 33; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/arclin/acy061.171

1873-5843

Katharina Keller, J. O'Grady, Betty N. Gordon, Katheryn B. Davis,

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Objective: Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience social isolation.There is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of electronic devices to increase attention and engagement in this population.We evaluated the use of text messaging and Facebook to promote communication skills and establish basic reciprocal social interactions with one adult with level 3 autism spectrum disorder (ASD-3).Method: We piloted the intervention on a 30-year-old man with ASD-3 who was selectively recruited through an intensive educational program.The participant was presented with the option to use iMessage and Facebook on his personal devices during speech-language therapy sessions scheduled four times each week.He was prompted to operate the applications using a chaining method, and he received support with spelling and typing.Communication frequencies and descriptions of quality and character of communications were recorded in session notes.Results: The participant's use of communication technologies increased the frequency of positive and appropriate social communications.Conclusions: Communication technologies were effective tools in expanding and enhancing the participant's social communications and allowing him to utilize limited language capacity in a socially typical way.The use of communication technologies eliminated aspects of the participant's communication that typically interfere with successful face-to-face interactions, such as poor eye contact, impaired articulation, and decreased attention; the acceptable use of images and shorthand reduced demands for speech and language and created a communication platform better matched to his abilities.Further research is needed to design and test formal interventions involving communication technologies for adults with ASD.