Technology as a tool in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): an overview

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this thesis is to provide an overview of modern technology as a tool in diagnostics and treatment for children and adolescents with ASD. METHOD: A literature review was performed during early 2016, based on results from PubMed searches with MESH-tags “Autism” or “Autism Spectrum Disorder” and one of the following: “Technology”, “Robotics”, “Video Games”, “Video”, “Video Modeling”, “Diagnostics”, “Radiology” and “Virtual Reality”. RESULTS: Both studies about the use of technology in diagnosis and in treatment are presented in the literature overview. Studies showed that researchers were able to differentiate children with ASD from typically developing children using different types of technology: video tapes, eye-tracking, movement patterns and fMRI. Studies revealed that many types of technology could prove useful in teaching children with ASD new skills or encourage social activity. Among these were social robots, robotics classes, video games, virtual reality, mobile applications, animated series and video modeling. CONCLUSION: Some studies show that certain uses of technology give good results when used correctly in treatment or diagnostics. Most of the studies about technological intervention available today are based on relatively small samples, which compromises the generalizability of the results. Nevertheless, with the vast diversity of new technologies and research, there is reason to believe that use of technological intervention in children or adolescents with ASD will be increasing.