Evaluating an iPad Game to Address Overselectivity in Preliterate AAC Users with Minimal Verbal Behavior

Overselectivity is a learning challenge that is largely unaddressed in the assistive technology community. Screening and intervention, done by specialists, is time-intensive and requires substantial training. Little to no treatments are available to the broader population of preliterate, minimally verbal individuals. In this work, we examine the impact of an iPad game based on the tenets of behavioral therapy to mitigate overselectivity. We developed software-based techniques and evaluated the system using established methods from the field of Special Education. We present the results of a deployment in a special education school that demonstrates that an assistive tablet game is a feasible means of addressing overselectivity, and we present generalizable technological features drawn from evidenced-based therapies to consider in future assistive technologies. We suggest that designers of assistive technology systems, particularly those who address physical, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties for preliterate AAC users, should consider overselectivity as a potential co-occurring condition.

[1]  Austin Henderson,et al.  Interaction design: beyond human-computer interaction , 2002, UBIQ.

[2]  L. Koegel,et al.  Pivotal Response Intervention I: Overview of Approach , 1999 .

[3]  Mark Carter,et al.  A Review of the Efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System Intervention , 2009, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[4]  Aubyn C. Stahmer,et al.  Examination of the prevalence of stimulus overselectivity in children with ASD. , 2015, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[5]  M. Wolery,et al.  The Use of Single-Subject Research to Identify Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education , 2005 .

[6]  Rupal Patel,et al.  SymbolPath: a continuous motion overlay module for icon-based assistive communication , 2012, ASSETS '12.

[7]  K. Maich,et al.  Applied Behavior Analysis , 2018, Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology.

[8]  Yvonne Rogers,et al.  Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. Second Edition , 2007 .

[9]  Janice Light,et al.  The iPad and Mobile Technology Revolution: Benefits and Challenges for Individuals who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication , 2013, Augmentative and alternative communication.

[10]  T E Heron,et al.  The Masters Thesis in Applied Behavior Analysis: Rationale, Characteristics, and Student Advisement Strategies , 1990, The Behavior analyst.

[11]  Joanna McGrenere,et al.  The design and field evaluation of PhotoTalk: a digital image communication application for people , 2007, Assets '07.

[12]  Shari Trewin,et al.  Physical accessibility of touchscreen smartphones , 2013, ASSETS.

[13]  Mohammad Rezaei,et al.  A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparison Between Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and Adult-Driven Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Intervention on Disruptive Behaviors in Public School Children with Autism , 2015, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[14]  Annalu Waller,et al.  The CHAMPION software project , 2011, ASSETS '11.

[15]  Patrick Onghena,et al.  Confidence intervals for single-case effect size measures based on randomization test inversion , 2017, Behavior research methods.

[16]  Tonio Wandmacher,et al.  SIBYLLE: a system for alternative communication adapting to the context and its user , 2007, Assets '07.

[17]  L. Schreibman,et al.  The Study of Stimulus Control in Autism , 2019, Environment and Behavior.

[18]  Krzysztof Z. Gajos,et al.  Ability-Based Design: Concept, Principles and Examples , 2011, TACC.

[19]  H. McDermid,et al.  The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome) , 2011, Molecular Syndromology.

[20]  Michael E Kelley,et al.  Using modified visual-inspection criteria to interpret functional analysis outcomes. , 2013, Journal of applied behavior analysis.

[21]  Pat Mirenda.  Promising Innovations in AAC for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders , 2009 .

[22]  William V. Dube,et al.  The Potential Influence of Stimulus Overselectivity in AAC: Information from Eye Tracking and Behavioral Studies of Attention with Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities , 2014, Augmentative and alternative communication.

[23]  L. Koegel,et al.  Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism: Communication, Social, and Academic Development , 2006 .

[24]  B. Ploog.  Stimulus Overselectivity Four Decades Later: A Review of the Literature and Its Implications for Current Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder , 2010, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[25]  Gene S Fisch,et al.  Evaluating data from behavioral analysis: visual inspection or statistical models? , 2001, Behavioural Processes.

[26]  W. V. Dube,et al.  Overselective stimulus control in residential school students with intellectual disabilities. , 2006, Research in developmental disabilities.

[27]  Alexis Hiniker,et al.  Go go games: therapeutic video games for children with autism spectrum disorders , 2013, IDC.

[28]  R. Gersten,et al.  Research in Special Education: Scientific Methods and Evidence-Based Practices , 2005 .

[29]  Keith Vertanen.  A collection of conversational AAC-like communications , 2013, ASSETS.

[30]  Rolf Black,et al.  The Phonicstick: a joystick to generate novel words using phonics , 2011, ASSETS.

[31]  A. King,et al.  “It’s a blessing and a curse”: Perspectives on tablet use in children with autism spectrum disorder , 2017 .

[32]  Richard E. Ladner,et al.  Design goals for a system for enhancing AAC with personalized video , 2012, ASSETS '12.

[33]  Julie A. Kientz,et al.  Screen Time Tantrums: How Families Manage Screen Media Experiences for Toddlers and Preschoolers , 2016, CHI.