Technology-Based Social Skills Learning for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects a significant number of people who have difficulties with communication and socialization. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5, defines ASD as a condition characterized by deficits in two core domains: (1) social communication and social interaction, and (2) restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Several authors examined the use of technology and computer-based interventions to teach people with ASD language and social skills. The use of technological advancements provides a comfortable, predictable, and structured environment that promotes constant learning for people with ASD, since they show affinity to technology. This paper explores: (1) how technology related papers to teach skills to people with ASD characterize the difficulties of these people, (2) how these characteristics have been considered to design their technological solutions and (3) which are the results obtained in these studies, in order to determine design guidelines and a structure and preliminary design for a future technological intervention that cover specific needs in people with ASD related to the area of socialization.