Sousa Carla, Tsvetkova Paulina, Pérez-Fuster Patricia, Agius May, Kostova Snezhana, Bolesta Karolina, Megda Garcia Flávia, Nanchen Benjamin, Tkaczyk Alan H
Lusófona University, CICANT, Lisbon, Portugal.
Institute of Robotics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 May;20(4):917-929. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2414414. Epub 2024 Oct 24.
Contemporary technologies, such as mainstream and specialised Assistive Technologies (ATs), are seen as effective. However, there is a noticeable gap between technological progress and the ability to customise these technologies to meet the unique needs and characteristics of neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the Autism Spectrum and people with Intellectual Disability (pwID).
The goal of this study is to investigate the present requirements and future priorities acknowledged by specialists in the field regarding the progress of social inclusion for this population, making use of ATs.
A qualitative survey involving 24 international experts, and its respective thematic analysis reveals challenges in social inclusion, emphasizing communication and physical accessibility, awareness gaps, and stigma. Concurrently, issues surrounding ATs include limited access, insufficient training, and a lack of awareness and skills, with individuals, and families being inadequately involved.
The study proposes strategies for overcoming these challenges, with a focus on accessibility, awareness, skills, family involvement, and customization. Identified research needs encompass scientific development, inclusive approaches, and changes in technological development paradigms.
当代技术，如主流和专业辅助技术（AT），被认为是有效的。然而，在技术进步与将这些技术定制以满足神经发育障碍个体（特别是自闭症谱系个体和智力残疾者）的独特需求和特征的能力之间，存在明显差距。
本研究的目标是利用辅助技术，调查该领域专家认可的关于这一人群社会融合进展的当前需求和未来优先事项。
一项涉及24位国际专家的定性调查及其相应的主题分析揭示了社会融合方面的挑战，强调沟通和身体可达性、认知差距以及污名化。同时，围绕辅助技术的问题包括获取有限、培训不足以及缺乏认知和技能，个人及家庭参与不足。
该研究提出了克服这些挑战的策略，重点关注可达性、认知、技能、家庭参与和定制。确定的研究需求包括科学发展、包容性方法以及技术发展范式的转变。
