Social Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disability and on the Autism Spectrum through Assistive Technologies:...

Area of Science:

• Assistive Technology research
• Disability studies
• Neurodiversity and technology

Background:

• Assistive Technologies (ATs) are effective but lack customization for neurodivergent individuals, including those on the Autism Spectrum and people with Intellectual Disability (pwID).
• A significant gap exists between technological advancements and tailored solutions for specific user needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current requirements and future priorities for advancing social inclusion of neurodivergent individuals using ATs.
• To identify expert-recognized needs and challenges in AT development and deployment for this population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative survey conducted with 24 international experts in the field.
• Thematic analysis of expert-identified challenges and proposed strategies.

Main Results:

• Key challenges in social inclusion include communication barriers, physical accessibility, awareness deficits, and stigma.
• AT-related issues encompass limited access, inadequate training, low awareness, skill gaps, and insufficient involvement of individuals and families.

Conclusions:

• Strategies for improvement focus on enhancing accessibility, raising awareness, building skills, promoting family engagement, and enabling AT customization.
• Future research should prioritize scientific development, inclusive design principles, and paradigm shifts in technological development.