This document outlines a research project plan to design and evaluate a communication app for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The project aims to 1) identify limitations of current Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) and how apps could address them, 2) evaluate existing communication apps, 3) design a prototype app based on staff and parent feedback, and 4) test the app's effectiveness on children's communication, social interaction, and behavior. Over an 18-month period, the researcher will conduct literature reviews, observe children's current communication methods, interview staff and parents, develop and test an app prototype, and analyze the results. The goal is to create an easy-to-use app to improve communication for children with A

1. “An Exploration of the effectiveness of the use of Communication
Apps through mobile devices on Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder”
Project Plan
Contact:
Miriam O’ Sullivan,
Institute of Technology Tralee,
Miriam.OSullivan@research.ittralee.ie
086-0534101
Principal Supervisor: Dr. Tom Farrelly
Co-Supervisor: Mr. Peter Given
Aims and Objectives:
• To identify the current use of the Picture
Exchange Communication System (PECS)
among children with ASD and how the
limitations can be addressed through the
use of an App.
• Identify and evaluate the usability of
current Apps available that are specific
to communication.
• To formulate data received from staff
and parents for the development of a
prototype App.
• As a result of the desk and usability
study along with data received from staff
and parents, design and implement a
Communication App.
• Conduct a field usability analysis: conduct
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist’s
(ATEC) with the participants to ascertain
the effects that the App has on their
communication, social interaction and
behaviour.
Literature Review:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS) and its effectiveness.
• Current use of Communication Apps with
children with ASD.
• Design methodologies : Software and
research.
• Development Tools: WYSIWYG
Editors/Cloud Editors, Web Apps, Native
Code and Hybrid.
• Methodological tools for analysis.
• Standards : Ethical Standards (Disability
and Software development). The National
Disability Authority, ACM/IEEE, User
Interface Standards, Mobile App
Development Standards, Responsive
Design.
• Professional Bodies: HISI, UKChip, iChip.
• Usability testing.
• Sensory Processing in children with ASD
(The National Autistic Society, 2014).
Key Action Points for the next 6
months:
• Researcher to continue learning and
developing skills in HTML5, CSS, Java
Script and App Inventor.
• Liaise with the identified site (school for
children with special needs) to begin field
research- structured observations and
structured interviews.
• Development of App usability criteria.
• Development of a prototype for the App.
Introduction:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a
complex neurological disorder which
effects a child’s social interaction,
communication and behaviour.
• In 2012, the Centre for Disease
Control and Prevention stated that
ASD effects 1 in 88 children in the
US. In 2008, there was an
estimated 250 children diagnosed
with ASD in Co. Kerry. The Autism
Society of America has stated that
the diagnosis of ASD is growing on
average between 10-17% per year.
• The use of Apps with children with
ASD is a relatively new area of
research. Thus, the acknowledgement
of the lack of information and
research is essential. The research
that has occurred is based on small
scale qualitative studies.
• This research takes a multi-
disciplinary approach through focusing
on the development of a
Communication App in partnership
with a school for children with
special needs. The benefits of the
Apps take on a holistic approach of a
child’s life. Research has shown the
potential for the use of these Apps.
References:
Bluestone, J., 2005, The Fabric of Autism- weaving
the threads into a cogent theory, Sapphire
Enterprises, LLC, 1300 Dexter Avenue North, #110
The Casey Family Building Seattle, WA 98109.
CommunicationAutism, undated, Autism and IT,
available from:
http://www.communicationautism.com/index.php?pag=a
utism, accessed on 28/2/2012.
Leader G., 2012, Time for a National Autism
Strategy, available from:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/time
-for-a-national-autism-strategy-189152.html,
accessed on 17/11/2014.
Penden M., 2012, Australia at forefront of major
autism developments, available from:
http://www.examiner.com/article/australia-at-
forefront-of-major-autism-developments, accessed on
08/12/2014.
Rogers P., 2012, A Helping Hand, Irish Examiner,
21/02/2012.
The National Autistic Society, 2014, Designing
websites suitable for people with autism spectrum
disorder, available from:
http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with/leisure-and-
environments/designing-websites-suitable-for-people-
with-autism-spectrum-disorders.aspx, accessed on
20/11/2014
Time Period Action Method
Oct 2014-Dec
2014 (T1)
Development of
Criteria for the
design of
Communication
Apps
Usability Analysis
of Apps
Desk Research
Framework for
usability analysis
will be developed on
foot of the
literature review
process.
Jan/Feb 2015
(T2)
Field Research Observations of
how children
currently use
standard PECS in a
school setting.
Interviews with
staff and parents
March/April/
May 2015 (T3)
Prototype Design
for App
WYSIWYG- App
Inventor/ POP/
Dreamweaver
June 2015 (T4) Initial usability
testing of
Prototype App
Usability Testing in
the Open Lab
Field Research in
school setting
September- Early
October 2015-
Phase 1 (T5)
Mid-October-
November – Phase
2
Implementation
and Modification
of the App
Evaluation of
implementation of
the app.
Changes to be
made as a result
of feedback
Structured
observations
(utilising ATEC) of
the children using
the App
Questionnaire with
Parents and school
staff
Feedback from
staff and children-
structured
observations and
informal interviews
January/February
2016 (T6)
March/April/May
2016 (T7)
Final analysis of
data
Write up of
dissertation