Abstract
Researchers have widely reported using technological interventions to support young children with autism spectrum disorder. Given the abundance and diversity of research on the topic, the authors conducted a scoping review of 158 studies published from 1994 to 2019 to provide a current state of the literature and guide future research. Overall, the results indicate that video modeling, communication aids, and discrete trial instruction have been the topic of the most studies in the research literature. Moreover, most researchers have used single-case designs and combined technology with some type of adult provided support. Findings suggest that future studies should compare the use of different devices and interventions directly together while better isolating the unique contribution of technology when evaluating its effects.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
By “pervasive developmental disorder”, the authors refer to the autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified.
References
AAP Council on communications and media. (2016). Media and young minds. Pediatrics, 138, e20162591. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591.
Achmadi, D., Sigafoos, J., Van Der Meer, L., Sutherland, D., Lancioni, G. E., O’Reilly, M. F., et al. (2014). Acquisition, preference, and follow-up data on the use of three AAC options by four boys with developmental disability/delay. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 26, 565–583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-014-9379-z.
Alzrayer, N., Banda, D. R., & Koul, R. K. (2014). Use of iPad/iPods with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities: a meta-analysis of communication interventions. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1, 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-014-0018-5.
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Aresti-Bartolome, N., & Garcia-Zapirain, B. (2014). Technologies as support tools for persons with autistic spectrum disorder: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11, 7767–7802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110807767.
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616.
Bellini, S., & Akullian, J. (2007). A meta-analysis of video modeling and video self-modeling interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Exceptional Children, 73, 264–287. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290707300301.
Bölte, S., Golan, O., Goodwin, M. S., & Zwaigenbaum, L. (2010). What can innovative technologies do for autism spectrum disorders? Autism, 14, 155–159. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361310365028.
Buescher, A. V., Cidav, Z., Knapp, M., & Mandell, D. S. (2014). Costs of autism spectrum disorders in the United Kingdom and the United States. JAMA Pediatrics, 168, 721–728. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.210.
Chambless, D. L., & Ollendick, T. H. (2001). Empirically supported psychological interventions: Controversies and evidence. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 685–716. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.685.
Choo, E. K., Ranney, M. L., Aggarwal, N., & Boudreaux, E. D. (2012). A systematic review of emergency department technology-based behavioral health interventions. The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, 19, 318–328. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.2012.01299.x.
Dauphin, M., Kinney, E. M., & Stromer, R. (2004). Using video-enhanced activity schedules and matrix training to teach sociodramatic play to a child with autism. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 6, 238–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/10983007040060040501.
Escueta, M., Quan, V., Nickow, A. J., & Oreopoulos, P. (2017). Education technology: An evidence-based review (No. w23744). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w23744
French, B. F. (2013). Brigance Inventory of Early Development (IED III): IED III standardization and validation manual. North Billerica: Curriculum Associates.
Ganz, J. B. (2015). AAC interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: state of the science and future research directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31, 203–214. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2015.1047532.
Gardner, S., & Wolfe, P. (2013). Use of video modeling and video prompting interventions for teaching daily living skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a review. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 38, 73–87. https://doi.org/10.2511/027494813807714555.
Goldsmith, T. R., & LeBlanc, L. A. (2004). Use of technology in interventions for children with autism. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, 1, 166–178.
Goodwin, M. S. (2008). Enhancing and accelerating the pace of autism research and treatment. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 23, 125–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357608316678.
Grynszpan, O., Weiss, P. L., Perez-Diaz, F., & Gal, E. (2014). Innovative technology-based interventions for autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis. Autism, 18, 346–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313476767.
Honey, E., Leekam, S., Turner, M., & McConachie, H. (2007). Repetitive behaviour and play in typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 37, 1107–1115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0253-4.
Jones, S., Bremer, E., & Lloyd, M. (2017). Autism spectrum disorder: family quality of life while waiting for intervention services. Quality of Life Research, 26, 331–342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-016-1382-7.
Kelly, S., Green, G., & Sidman, M. (1998). Visual identity matching and auditory-visual matching: a procedural note. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 237–243.
Khowaja, K., & Salim, S. S. (2013). A systematic review of strategies and computer-based intervention (CBI) for reading comprehension of children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 1111–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2013.05.009.
Kim, E. S., Berkovits, L. D., Bernier, E. P., Leyzberg, D., Shic, F., Paul, R., & Scassellati, B. (2013). Social robots as embedded reinforcers of social behavior in children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 1038–1049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1645-2.
Lee, A., Lang, R., Davenport, K., Moore, M., Rispoli, M., Van Der Meer, L., et al. (2015). Comparison of therapist implemented and iPad-assisted interventions for children with autism. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 18, 97–103. https://doi.org/10.3109/17518423.2013.830231.
Lorah, E. R., Parnell, A., Whitby, P. S., & Hantula, D. (2015). A systematic review of tablet computers and portable media players as speech generating devices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3792–3804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2314-4.
Mello, M. P., Goldman, S. E., Urbano, R. C., & Hodapp, R. M. (2016). Services for children with autism spectrum disorder: comparing rural and non-rural communities. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 51, 355–365.
Mesa-Gresa, P., Gil-Gómez, H., Lozano-Quilis, J., & Gil-Gómez, J. (2018). Effectiveness of virtual reality for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: an evidence-based systematic review. Sensors, 18, 2486. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18082486.
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The Prisma Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine, 6, e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097.
National Autism Center. (2015). Findings and conclusions: national standards project, phase 2. Randolph: Author.
Newborg, J. (2005). Battelle developmental inventory, 2nd edition: examiner’s manual. Itasca: Riverside.
Odom, S. L., Collet-Klingberg, L., Rogers, S. J., & Hatton, D. D. (2010). Evidence-based practices in interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Preventing School Failure, 54, 275–282.
Odom, S. L., Thompson, J. L., Hedges, S., Boyd, B. A., Dykstra, J. R., Duda, M. A., et al. (2015). Technology-aided interventions and instruction for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3805–3819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2320-6.
Orinstein, A. J., Helt, M., Troyb, E., Tyson, K. E., Barton, M. L., Eigsti, I. M., et al. (2014). Intervention for optimal outcome in children and adolescents with a history of autism. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 35, 247–256. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000000037.
Ploog, B. O., Scharf, A., Nelson, D., & Brooks, P. J. (2013). Use of computer-assisted technologies (CAT) to enhance social, communicative, and language development in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 301–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1571-3.
Préfontaine, I., Lanovaz, M. J., McDuff, E., McHugh, C., & Cook, J. L. (2019). Using mobile technology to reduce engagement in stereotypy: a validation of decision-making algorithms. Behavior Modification, 43, 222–245. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445517748560.
Ramdoss, S., Lang, R., Mulloy, A., Franco, J., O’Reilly, M., Didden, R., & Lancioni, G. (2011). Use of computer-based interventions to teach communication skills to children with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Behavioral Education, 20, 55–76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-010-9112-7.
Ramdoss, S., Machalicek, W., Rispoli, M., Mulloy, A., Lang, R., & O’Reilly, M. (2012). Computer-based interventions to improve social and emotional skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 15, 119–135. https://doi.org/10.3109/17518423.2011.651655.
Ramsey, A. T., & Montomery, K. (2014). Technology-based interventions in social work practice: a systematic review of mental health interventions. Social Work in Health Care, 53, 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2014.925531.
Ryan, C. (2018). Computer and Internet use in the United States: 2016. Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau.
Sancho, K., Sidener, T. M., Reeve, S. A., & Sidener, D. W. (2010). Two variations of video modeling interventions for teaching play skills to children with autism. Education and Treatment of Children, 33, 421–442. https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.0.0097.
Schlosser, R. W., & Koul, R. K. (2015). Speech output technologies in interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a scoping review. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 31, 285–309. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2015.1063689.
Shukla-Mehta, S., Miller, T., & Callahan, K. J. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of video instruction on social and communication skills training for children with autism spectrum disorders: a review of the literature. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 25, 23–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357609352901.
Smith, M. J., Ginger, E., Wright, K., Wright, M., Taylor, J. L., Humm, L. B., et al. (2014). Virtual reality job interview training in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Other Developmental Disorders, 44, 2450–2463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2113-y.
Still, K., Rehfeldt, R. A., Whelan, R., May, R., & Dymond, S. (2014). Facilitating requesting skills using high-tech augmentative and alternative communication devices with individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 1184–1199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.06.003.
Tachibana, Y., Miyazaki, C., Ota, E., Mori, R., Hwang, Y., Kobayashi, E., et al. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of comprehensive interventions for pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PLoS One, 12, e0186502. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186502.
Van Der Meer, L. A., & Rispoli, M. (2010). Communication interventions involving speech-generating devices for children with autism: a review of the literature. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 13, 294–306. https://doi.org/10.3109/17518421003671494.
Virnes, M., Kärnä, E., & Vellonen, V. (2015). Review of research on children with autism spectrum disorder and the use of technology. Journal of Special Education Technology, 30. https://doi.org/10.1177/016264341503000102.
Wainer, A. L., & Ingersoll, B. R. (2011). The use of innovative computer technology for teaching social communication to individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 96–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.08.002.
Wong, C., Odom, S. L., Hume, K., Cox, A. W., Fettig, A., Kucharczyk, S., et al. (2013). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina.
Funding
This research project was supported in part by a scholarship from the Consortium national de recherche en intégration sociale to the first author, by a grant from MEDTEQ and the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation, and a salary award (# 30827) from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec–Santé to the second author.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Ethical Approval
This study only uses publicly available data, which did not require ethical approval.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic supplementary material
ESM 1
(PDF 240 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heng, E., Lanovaz, M.J. & Beauregard, A. Research on Technological Interventions for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a Scoping Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 8, 253–263 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00215-w
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00215-w