Abstract
Background
While end-user interest in digitally-mediated Social Story (SS) intervention for children on the autism spectrum is growing, research on the use of SSs in digital form is currently lacking.
Aims
This study aimed to investigate how digital-mediation can influence parents’ and practitioners’ attitudes towards the SS intervention as well as impact their perceived competence in their ability to administer the intervention.
Methods and procedures
This study used a convergent mixed-method design. Nineteen participants (ten practitioners and nine mothers) participated in two focus group sessions. Participants then engaged with a digitally-mediated SS and completed a pre- and post-engagement survey measuring attitude, competence and user experience with the intervention.
Outcomes and results
The mothers’ perceived competence ratings improved after engaging with digitally-mediated SSs. Mothers and practitioners also indicated that digitally-mediated SSs increased their perceived efficiency, while mothers felt it improved their autonomy and further empowered them as end-users.
Conclusion and implications
Digitally-mediated SS has the potential to effectively address challenges related to intervention implementation whilst also empowering further the end-user.
While end-user interest in digitally-mediated Social Story (SS) intervention for children on the autism spectrum is growing, research on the use of SSs in digital form is currently lacking.
Aims
This study aimed to investigate how digital-mediation can influence parents’ and practitioners’ attitudes towards the SS intervention as well as impact their perceived competence in their ability to administer the intervention.
Methods and procedures
This study used a convergent mixed-method design. Nineteen participants (ten practitioners and nine mothers) participated in two focus group sessions. Participants then engaged with a digitally-mediated SS and completed a pre- and post-engagement survey measuring attitude, competence and user experience with the intervention.
Outcomes and results
The mothers’ perceived competence ratings improved after engaging with digitally-mediated SSs. Mothers and practitioners also indicated that digitally-mediated SSs increased their perceived efficiency, while mothers felt it improved their autonomy and further empowered them as end-users.
Conclusion and implications
Digitally-mediated SS has the potential to effectively address challenges related to intervention implementation whilst also empowering further the end-user.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 104104 |
| Journal | Research in Developmental Disabilities |
| Volume | 119 |
| Early online date | 6 Oct 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was partially funded by the Research Seed Fund [grant number EDSRP12-20 ] from the University of Malta.
Keywords
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Digitally-mediated
- Mixed-methods
- Mothers
- Practitioners
- Social story
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Clinical Psychology