Teaching Children With Autism to Initiate Social Interactions Using Textual Prompts Delivered via Apple Watches®

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit challenges in peer social interactions.
• Explicit teaching of social skills is frequently required for children with ASD.
• Limited peer engagement in children with ASD necessitates effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a novel prompting method for social initiations in children with ASD.
• To assess the impact of wearable technology-delivered prompts on peer interactions.
• To determine if prompted social initiations can lead to sustained independent social behavior.

Main Methods:

• A combined tactile and textual prompt system was delivered via text message to an Apple Watch.
• Prompts were implemented during free play to encourage social initiations towards peers.
• Two participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were included in the study.

Main Results:

• The text message prompts significantly increased the frequency of independent social initiations for both participants.
• One participant demonstrated sustained high levels of independent social initiations post-intervention.
• The wearable prompt system proved effective in facilitating social engagement in children with ASD.

Conclusions:

• Wearable technology, such as an Apple Watch, can be effectively utilized to prompt social initiations in children with ASD.
• Explicit prompting via text messages can enhance peer social interactions for children with autism spectrum disorder.
• Interventions involving technology may lead to lasting improvements in social skills for individuals with ASD.