This study intentions to make certain the potency of a special mobile messaging software named MAAN, which means that together from inside the Arabic, having people with ASD, using pre-article studies study. The aim of MAAN would be to render an accessible, safe, and simple-to-play with chatting app to possess people that have ASD so because of this assistance the introduction within the people. Inside studies, i hypothesized the next: (1) The new the means to access top features of cellular programs (text-to-speech [TTS], speech-to-text message [STT], and you may interaction signs [CS]), which are put on MAAN, can boost the latest public and you can telecommunications experiences off adults having ASD; and you may (2) The use of new application can reduce personal loneliness within the grownups with ASD.
Data Structure
A blended procedures approach is actually adopted within this research. Seven grownups which have ASD was indeed expected to utilize MAAN with regards to caregivers to possess 16 weeks. Ahead of the framework and growth of MAAN, semistructured interview had been used having professionals to go over the latest initial proposed app build. The new app structure ended up being changed with respect to the obtained viewpoints. Up coming, grownups having ASD in addition to kissbridesdate.com tilleggsressurser their mothers or caregivers was indeed asked in order to explore MAAN to have a period of 16 days. That it cycle is actually observed regarding data of the Laugeson mais aussi al , and that ideal when finding personal and you may communications enjoy treatments, update is just evident during the sixteen weeks. The analysis started by getting in touch with anyone happy to participate. Because of COVID-19, the first group meetings for the players have been presented on line. All players acquired a message to possess detailing the study information, such date and time, and you may a great weblink having gathering informed agree to possess a virtual conference into users, people they know, in addition to their moms and dads. Shortly after receiving this new participants’ consent, they were requested to help you complete an on-line prestudy survey in check to get demographical guidance. The mother and father or caregivers of your own people had been plus asked to help you complete a primary version of the newest Personal and you may Mental Loneliness Scale getting People (SELSA-S) survey . The aim of that it questionnaire would be to determine new societal and you will household members loneliness of your own professionals. From inside the an online fulfilling, the principal specialist explained this new app has actually in more detail and you will replied next questions about the analysis. The players have been as well as provided by a beneficial hotline so you can statement any thing they might face in this research. To be sure the continuity of information collection, the players was in fact questioned to make certain that the new application was constantly powering from the records.
At the conclusion of the research, all the users that have ASD in addition to their caregivers otherwise moms and dads complete the fresh Cellular Software Score Size: associate variation (uMARS) survey. This new uMARS is an easy and you may reputable equipment which are often employed by end-pages to assess the standard of cellular wellness apps. It provides good 20-product scale including cuatro objective quality subscales (wedding, abilities, esthetics, and you can recommendations top quality) and you will 1 subjective quality subscale. The intention of this questionnaire would be to assess the app’s top quality when it comes to function. This new participants’ parents otherwise caregivers along with completed the new SELSA-S survey once again to choose the participants’ public and you will family members loneliness cost after the study. Lastly, a semistructured interview that have parents or caregivers is presented to gather factual statements about the newest context out-of app use. New interview integrated questions regarding the entire software expertise in terms and conditions off features, functionality, and you will challenges encountered while using the app, plus tricks for then improvement.
MAAN Application Design and you may Innovation
The fresh application contains the next step three fundamental has actually: TTS, STT, and CS. Among the well-understood enjoys that can also be thought to be a form of assistive technology is the fresh new TTS feature, which enables users to listen written text towards the a computer, pill, otherwise tune somebody battling when you look at the studying and decoding terminology . Similarly, STT are an enthusiastic assistive technology function employed by those who challenge having writing. This form of assistive technical lets message become turned into text utilizing the calculating equipment. One another has actually are extremely commonly utilized to help inclusion education configurations . Brand new application in addition to included the newest CS feature, which is an essential part away from AAC-offered development, and its number 1 goal is to try to let individuals with ASD inside the constructing phrases. We are not conscious of any messaging software you to definitely supporting the fresh new utilization of the CS element. TAWASOL symbols have been employed for the newest CS feature. These people were developed in 2013 from the Mada Heart, an assistive technical heart within the Qatar. Such signs depict the current Fundamental Arabic vocabulary and are customized to be culturally, socially, consistently, and you will linguistically acceptable. TAWASOL is founded on the AAC Symbols Collection that will be directed to help you nonverbal or minimally spoken individuals who want choice communications solutions .