Technologies to Support Self-determination for People with Intellectual Disability and ASD

TL;DR

This paper reviews digital tools designed to enhance self-determination in individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, emphasizing their design, validation, and impact on independent living.

Contribution

It introduces and discusses specific digital tools aimed at promoting self-determination for vulnerable populations with intellectual disabilities and ASD.

Findings

Digital tools can improve independence and quality of life.

Validation studies support effectiveness of these technologies.

Tools tailored for specific disabilities show promising results.

Abstract

This article focuses on the concept of self-determination and the design and validation of digital tools intended to promote the self-determination of vulnerable people. Self-determination is an essential skill for carrying out daily activities. But in certain situations, and for certain populations, self-determination is lacking, which leads to the inability to live an independent life and in favorable conditions of well-being and health. In recent years, self-determination enhancing technologies have been developed and used to promote independent living among people with self-determination disorders. We will illustrate the main digital tools to support self-determination developed for two populations of people suffering from self-determination disorders: people with an intellectual disability and people with an autism spectrum disorder. The ability of these digital assistants to improve the comfort of life of these people will also be presented and discussed.