BeAKKta - ett kommunikationshjälpmedel som möter behoven av djupare kommunikation hos personer med autism
DatavetenskapComputer science - informaticsComputer science - networks and communicationsArbetsvetenskapHuman work science - generalAutismKommunikationTeknikHjälpmedelKänslorVuxnaDotter / asdCommunicationTechnologyFeelingsAdultGrown-upDaughter
A vulnerable group in society is people with ASD (autism spectrum disorders) or
autism. This group seems to increase, mainly due to genetic factors but also
environmental problems. Medical research has accelerated in the U.S. and
Europe. The biggest problem for people with disabilities is the inability to
communicate, both verbally and socially. Parallel communication is growing
strongly, a technique that can help these people much, if only there were an
adaptation to the needs.
There are already technical communication aids developed for people with
autism. But they do not seem to fit the target group's communication needs well
enough. These aids are designed to handle a superficial communication and
people with autism do not understand this type of communication at all. People
with ASD would rather appreciate the deeper relationships that can support them
on important issues, such as to clarify the context for them are hard to
understand. E.g. "inside" and "beyond" could tell that there are a number of
houses behind them closer to the houses. They need a different type of support
and this support must be provided by close caregivers. Closely support by
caregivers seems to be essential for successful development. In other words,
they do not have the extensive list of contacts that are in their communication
tool today.
In my theses, I look primarily at the core needs behind the communication of
people with autism. But I also present a design proposal in the form of some
sketches on the basis of these needs. The reason for focusing on the analysis
is that the majority of existing technical communication aids never seems to
have questioned the basis for the decisions shaping the design, i.e. the real
needs of the people with ASD. Too often wrong design decisions seem to be made
mainly due to an incorrect analysis. Several functions ought to coincide in a
single tool that can support the people with ASD to talk, think clearer
thoughts, to reflect, formulate an opinion and dream. I would like them to
reach deeper thoughts than was possible so far. The features are not new but
the combination is. I count to seven features which I consider to be crucial
for my result: ?Emphasized transfer?, ?transparency?, ?structure à la Talking
Mats?, ?imaging?, ?digital camera?, ?the real meeting?, and ?caregivers as
important role models?. The communicators should be geographically close to
each other and carry one?s own portable technical communication aids, their
?BeAKKta?, the name of this design proposal.
My result identifies needs of disabled people in their communication, and gives
suggestions on how to respond to those needs by presenting different sketches
from an analysis. The sketches show up a new design for this communication
tool, both in terms of form and function. Lovisa, my daughter and her
communication problem is the origin of the trials and she is also the one who
gave me both insights and inspiration.