Brief Report: Just-in-Time Visual Supports to Children with Autism via the Apple Watch:® A Pilot Feasibility Study

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 46; no. 12; pp. 3818 - 3823
• Main Authors: O’Brien, Amanda, Schlosser, Ralf W., Shane, Howard C., Abramson, Jennifer, Allen, Anna A., Flynn, Suzanne, Yu, Christina, Dimery, Katherine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-12-2016; Springer
• Subjects: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Auditory Perceptual Disorders - psychology; Auditory Perceptual Disorders - therapy; Autism; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Autistic Disorder - therapy; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Brief Report; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child, Preschool; Children; Communication Aids for Disabled; Computers, Handheld; Cues; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Information Technology; Linguistic Input; Male; Neurosciences; Oral Language; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Photic Stimulation - instrumentation; Photography; Pilot Projects; Psychology; Public Health; Speech Communication; Time Factors; Video Technology; Visual Aids; Autism; Instruction following; Just-in-time; Visual supports; Technology
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2891-5

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Using augmented input might be an effective means for supplementing spoken language for children with autism who have difficulties following spoken directives. This study aimed to (a) explore whether JIT-delivered scene cues (photos, video clips) via the Apple Watch
®
enable children with autism to carry out directives they were unable to implement with speech alone, and (b) test the feasibility of the Apple Watch
®
(with a focus on display size). Results indicated that the hierarchical JIT supports enabled five children with autism to carry out the majority of directives. Hence, the relatively small display size of the Apple Watch does not seem to hinder children with autism to glean critical information from visual supports.