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International Perspectives on Assistive Technologies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Findings from a Delphi Study

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  • Paulina Tsvetkova

    (Institute of Robotics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
    Department of Information Systems and Technologies, Faculty of Information Sciences, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria)

  • Carla Sousa

    (Centre for Research in Applied Communication, Culture, and New Technologies (CICANT), Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Daniel Beiderbeck

    (WHU–Otto Beisheim School of Management, 40233 Düsseldorf, Germany)

  • Aneta M. Kochanowicz

    (Faculty of Applied Sciences, WSB University, 41300 Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland)

  • Branislav Gerazov

    (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia)

  • May Agius

    (Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Tomasz Przybyła

    (Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
    Learning Laboratory, Faculty of Educational Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland)

  • Merita Hoxha

    (Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Elbasan, Aleksandër Xhuvani, 3001 Elbasan, Albania)

  • Alan H. Tkaczyk

    (Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia)

Abstract

Advancements in Assistive Technologies (ATs) have significantly improved the quality of life and autonomy for people with intellectual disabilities and autistic individuals, enhancing education, social interaction, employment, and mental health. Nevertheless, several barriers still emerge in the daily implementation of such technologies, highlighting the need to explore them in depth. Using a two-round Delphi method, we conducted a research study with an expert panel of 284 participants from 31 European countries, collecting quantitative and qualitative data. We tested ten future-oriented projections and gathered insights on participants’ backgrounds and attitudes towards ATs for this demographic. To enhance representation, experts from academia, service providers, industry, and disability organizations, as well as individuals with disabilities and their families, were included. Although the findings show strong consensus among experts on the positive impact and desirability of ATs for promoting the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and autistic individuals, they also reveal differing perceptions across expert groups and identify two distinct future scenarios linked to different cultural, social, and economic hindrances. In this sense, our study provides diverse global perspectives, with the potential to help governing bodies understand the expectations, concerns, and needs related to ATs for often underrepresented groups–people with intellectual disabilities and autistic individuals in this case.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulina Tsvetkova & Carla Sousa & Daniel Beiderbeck & Aneta M. Kochanowicz & Branislav Gerazov & May Agius & Tomasz Przybyła & Merita Hoxha & Alan H. Tkaczyk, 2024. "International Perspectives on Assistive Technologies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Findings from a Delphi Study," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:4:y:2024:i:4:p:71-1155:d:1546465
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roßmann, Bernhard & Canzaniello, Angelo & von der Gracht, Heiko & Hartmann, Evi, 2018. "The future and social impact of Big Data Analytics in Supply Chain Management: Results from a Delphi study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 135-149.
    2. von der Gracht, Heiko A., 2012. "Consensus measurement in Delphi studies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 79(8), pages 1525-1536.
    3. Carmen Berenguer & Inmaculada Baixauli & Soledad Gómez & María de El Puig Andrés & Simona De Stasio, 2020. "Exploring the Impact of Augmented Reality in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-15, August.
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