Autism &
Affective
Computing
Stephanie Vacher
SOCS 300
Emily Carr University
March 17, 2009

Introduction:
- Autism / ASD
Treatments & Therapies for ASD
- Affective Computing
Examples of AC Therapies
- The Big Question
How can I integrate affective computer technology into
ASD treatment, to enable stress reduction and build
socio-emotional skills?

Abstract:
Title: “Assessing the use of affective computer technology
to assist in communication, stress reduction and behaviour
modification for people with autism spectrum disorders.”
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits
in socialization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
There is no known cure for ASD, but high technology therapies
have been developed to enable some autistic people to learn
basic socioemotional skills. Evidence suggests that affective
computing, a subset of research in human-computer interac-
tion, could prove useful to developing behaviour modification
and communication therapies for patients with ASD. Affective
Computing is defined as “computing that relates to, arises from,
or influences emotions” (Picard, 1995). The application of these
affective technological models may provide new forms of ther-
apy for ASD patients, and result in a rise in quality of life for
autistic people.
Source: Picard, R. W. (1995). Affective Computing. M.I.T. Media Laboratory
Perceptual Computing Section Technical Report, No. 321, 1-16.

What is ASD?
Communication Socialization
Skills Skills
Problem Solving
Skills

What is ASD?
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism | Aspergers | PDD-NOS
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
14 Months - 3 Years
- Treatments
Medication | Therapy

Therapies

Stress Reduction:
Adaptive Model Maladaptive Model
(Exhibited by persons with good coping strategies) (Exhibited by persons with poor coping strategies,
especially by individuals with developmental disabilities)
Stressors Stressors
(Promotion, Death, Separation, Birth of a Sibling, Pain) (Taking Criticism, Changes, Inability to Understand
Instruction, External Control)
Buffers Inability to Use Buffers
(Social Networks, Hardiness, Internal Locus of Control) (Lack of Friends, Communication Deficits,
Lack of Self-Control)
Adaptive Behaviours Maladaptive Behaviours
(Assertiveness, Socializing, Exercise) (Aggression Tantrum, Self-Injury, Stereotypic Behaviours)
Reinforcement Punishment
Stress Reduction Increased Stress
Source: Baron, M. G, Groden, J, Groden, G, & Lipsitt, L. P. (2006). Stress and Coping in Autism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Affective Computing

Case Studies:

Conclusion:
What needs to be done to reduce stress and create buffers
for autistic people?
What AC technology has enabled autistic people to build
socio-emotional skills?
How can designers use AC technology to remove
communication barriers?
Thesis Question: “How can I integrate affective computer
technology into ASD treatment, to enable stress reduction and
build socio-emotional skills?”

Sources:
Slide 1: Autism on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (n.d.). . Retrieved March 10, 2009, from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/molotvo/2845021171/.
Slide 6: 007> on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (n.d.). . Retrieved March 10, 2009, from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smithereen/314647760/.
Slide 7: Chart “Adaptive and maladaptive coping models in autism” from: Baron, M. G, Groden, J, Groden, G, & Lipsitt, L. P.
(2006). Stress and Coping in Autism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 19.
Slide 8: SiD - On The Latest: Kismet Robot. (n.d.). . Retrieved March 10, 2009, from
http://sid-otl.blogspot.com/2008/05/kismet-robot.html.
Slide 9: Clockwise from top left:
From “Affective Computing and Autism,” by Kaliouby, R., Picard, R. and Baron-Cohen, S., 2006, New York Academy of
Sciences, 1093, p. 238. Copyright 2006 by the New York Academy of Sciences.
From “The Use of Technology in the Study, Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism,” by Michel, P., 2004, p. 13.
From “Technology for Just-In-Time In-Situ Learning of Facial Affect for Persons Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder,” by Madsen, M., Kaliouby, R., Goodwin, M., and Picard, R., 2008, ASSETS ‘08, p. 6. Copyright 2008 by ASSETS ‘08.
From “Shybot: Friend-Stranger Interaction for Children Living with Autism,” by Chia-Husn, J. L., Breazeal, C., Kim, K.,
Picard, R., 2008, CHI 2008, p. 3. Copyright 2008 by the Authors.