Co-design of Technology Involving Autistic Children: A Systematic Literature Review

AbstractA co-design process involving autistic children can provide a substantial benefit and optimal utilization of technologies to an off-the-shelf design-based one. Having a voice and making a contribution plays a major role in the co-design process. Yet autistic children exhibit varying communication and social skill and some of them may be minimally verbal or non-verbal. For these reasons, harmonizing the techniques of the co-design process with autistic children with varying characteristics requires detailed and careful consideration. To understand the techniques of the co-design process that accommodates all categories of autistic children, a systematic review of a co-design process involving autistic children was conducted, using six large databases (Scopus, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar). The search result includes 2482 papers of which only 82 met the inclusion criteria. The result of the data extraction analysis collection is classified according to techniques for accommodating autistic children of varying characteristics, the challenges encountered, and methods of minimizing those challenges. The review identifies four prominent themes within co-design research for autism: advances in co-design objectives and outcomes, participant recruitment determinants, core co-design methods, and the management of co-design challenges. Highlighting the need for inclusivity and equitable support, the study proposes recommendations for better integration of diverse communication abilities and multiple diagnoses in the co-design process, underlining the importance of adaptive technologies and methods to accommodate the needs of all children.Keywords: Autismco-designautistic children Disclosure statementThe authors report there are no competing interests to declare.Additional informationFundingThis study was made possible by NPRP Grant # NPRP13S-0108-200027 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation).Notes on contributorsMohamad Hassan Fadi HijabMohamad Hassan Fadi Hijab is currently pursuing his PhD degree in computer science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Qatar. His research interests address topics related to autism and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).Bilikis BanireBilikis Banire was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the College of Science and Engineering, HBKU. She has worked at Abu Dhabi Autism Center, UAE, and Academy Faqeh, Kuala Lumpur, as a Volunteer and Researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Her research interests address topics related to autism, HCI, and machine learning.Joselia NevesJoselia Neves is Professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar, where she teaches Audiovisual Translation. In her career, she has led a number of collaborative projects for the provision of subtitling, subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing viewers, and audio description for blind audiences on television.Marwa QaraqeMarwa Qaraqe is an Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering, HBKU. Her research interests lie in the field of predictive analytics, especially in the area of machine learning and its application in the biomedical field.Achraf OthmanAchraf Othman is currently working as the Head of the ICT Accessibility Innovation and Research Section, Mada Center, Doha, Qatar. He is also working on research projects to enable persons with disabilities using innovative technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.Dena Al-ThaniDena Al-Thani is an Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering and the Director of interdisciplinary graduate programs, HBKU. Her academic and research vocation is to explore and demonstrate how HCI as a field of applied enquiry can contribute to building a more inclusive society.