Social Role-based Training Using a Computer Graphics Avatar in a Real-world Commercial Setting for Individuals with...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Social role-based behaviors are crucial for employment and community integration in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Enhancing self-efficacy is key to improving these social behaviors.
• A novel training system, TCR, was developed to facilitate social role-based behaviors using a computer avatar in a real-world setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of the TCR system.
• To assess TCR's potential in reducing anxiety and enhancing self-confidence, motivation, metacognition, and self-efficacy for social role behaviors in individuals with ASD.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-eight adults with ASD participated in a 5-session intervention.
• Participants were assigned to either the TCR group (TCR + communication guidance) or a control group (communication guidance only).
• Assessments of anxiety, self-confidence, motivation, metacognition, and self-efficacy were conducted using self-report and observer ratings.

Main Results:

• The TCR group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in self-reported and observer-rated self-efficacy compared to the control group.
• Significant improvements were observed in the TCR group for observer-rated anxiety and self-confidence.
• Nominally significant improvements favored the TCR group for self-reported anxiety, self-confidence, motivation, and metacognition.

Conclusions:

• TCR is a feasible intervention that enhances self-efficacy in social role-based behaviors for individuals with ASD.
• The system integrates multiple self-efficacy-boosting components, including peer observation and real-time feedback.
• TCR shows promise as a scalable approach for community-based interventions to improve social outcomes and real-world functioning in ASD.