Identifying User Preferences Through an Application for Autistic Children Using Inclusive Design Models

Abstract

Due to a deficit on cognitive ability and language skills, children with intellectual disabilities, especially with autism, do not engage in participatory design activities. Using an inclusive design approach, children with autism are able to have more effective participation during the design, however for this it is necessary to adapt participatory design methods, making them more contextualized with children's daily activities. Participatory methods use games and light activities for people to bring out their design ideas, considering their needs and preferences. Children with autism need a more structure-activity with a very well-defined goal for them to feel comfortable. In this context, this paper, describe the implementation of a ludic application in line with the precepts of inclusive design to identify children with intellectual disabilities ways of thinking aiming at finding possibilities for adaptation of tools using participatory design methods.