Parents' attitudes towards using assistive technologies for children with ASD in Jordan

This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance and attitudes of Jordanian parents toward assistive technology (AT) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). In this cross-sectional study, 130 parents participated, most female (73.8%) and over 34 (70.8%). The majority (89.6%) reported that their children used smartphones, with 68.5% using them several times daily. Smartphones (89.6%) and iPads (24%) were the most frequently used technologies, while talking books (4%) and smart boards (2.4%) had the lowest usage. UTAUT results showed moderate agreement in most factors: effort expectancy (68.7%), performance expectancy (58.7%), and attitudes toward technology (65%). Notably, 47.8% of parents reported low social support for using AT, likely due to limited awareness and financial constraints. Regression analysis revealed that technology usage explained 41% of the variance in performance expectancy, while parental factors accounted for 43% of the variance in effort expectancy. Significant positive relationships were found between AT usage, behavioral intention, and actual use. These findings suggest that increasing technology usage and social support may enhance the adoption of AT for children with ASD.