Facilitating other-awareness in low-functioning children with autism and typically-developing preschoolers using dual-control technology
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
1School of Psychology, Pevensey Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QH, UK, s.holt@sussex.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Children with autism are said to lack other-awareness, which restricts their opportunities for peer collaboration. We assessed other-awareness in non-verbal children with autism and typically-developing preschoolers collaborating on a shared computerised picture-sorting task. The studies compared a novel interface, designed to support other-awareness, with a standard interface, with adult and peer partners. The autism group showed no active other-awareness using the standard interface, but revealed clear active other-awareness using the supportive interface. Both groups displayed more other-awareness with the technology than without and also when collaborating with a peer than with an adult partner. We argue that children with autism possess latent abilities to coordinate social interaction that only become evident with appropriate support.
Related Concept Videos
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior

