A Computer-based Social Intervention for Students with High Functioning ASD: Using Technology to Improve Special Education

The development process will entail designing graphics for the characters and scenery, scripting the hierarchy of dialog and behavioral menu choices available to the student, defining the scoring algorithms for assessing social problem solving, and integrating instructional content. The research team will use a mixed-method design to assess the prototype with 45 students and a group of teachers and then make iterative refinements based on feedback. After development is complete, the researchers will assess the feasibility and usability and promise of the product to improve social functioning in 50 special education classrooms. Half of the classrooms will be randomly assigned to participate in Social Skills Training (SST) while the other half will receive services as usual over a period of two months. Measures will include student attitudes and behaviors relating to social skills and decision making.