Technologies as Support Tools for Persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Nuria Aresti-Bartolome and Begonya Garcia-Zapirain
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Nuria Aresti-Bartolome: DeustoTech-LIFE Unit, DeustoTech Institute of Technology, University of Deusto, Avda. Universidades 24, Bilbao 48007, Spain
Begonya Garcia-Zapirain: DeustoTech-LIFE Unit, DeustoTech Institute of Technology, University of Deusto, Avda. Universidades 24, Bilbao 48007, Spain

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-36

Abstract: This study analyzes the technologies most widely used to work on areas affected by the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Technologies can focus on the strengths and weaknesses of this disorder as they make it possible to create controlled environments, reducing the anxiety produced by real social situations. Extensive research has proven the efficiency of technologies as support tools for therapy and their acceptation by ASD sufferers and the people who are with them on a daily basis. This article is organized by the types of systems developed: virtual reality applications, telehealth systems, social robots and dedicated applications, all of which are classified by the areas they center on: communication, social learning and imitation skills and other ASD-associated conditions. 40.5% of the research conducted is found to be focused on communication as opposed to 37.8% focused on learning and social imitation skills and 21.6% which underlines problems associated with this disorder. Although most of the studies reveal how useful these tools are in therapy, they are generic tools for ASD sufferers in general, which means there is a lack of personalised tools to meet each person’s needs.

Keywords: ASD; tools for therapy; robots; telehealth systems; dedicated applications; virtual reality applications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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