Facing the challenge of teaching emotions to individuals with low- and high-functioning autism using a new Serious game: a pilot study

Sylvie Serret (1) , Stephanie Hun (1) , Galina Iakimova (2) , Jose Lozada (3) , Margarita Anastassova (3) , Andreia Santos (1) , Stephanie Vesperini (1) , Florence Askenazy (4)

1 Les Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice CHU-Lenval
2 LAPCOS - Laboratoire d'Anthropologie et de Psychologie Cliniques, Cognitives et Sociales
3 DIASI - Département Intelligence Ambiante et Systèmes Interactifs
4 Hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice CHU-Lenval

Background: It is widely accepted that emotion processing difficulties are involved in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). An increasing number of studies have focused on the development of training programs and have shown promising results. However, most of these programs are appropriate for individuals with high-functioning ASC (HFA) but exclude individuals with low-functioning ASC (LFA). We have developed a computer-based game called JeStiMulE based on logical skills to teach emotions to individuals with ASC, independently of their age, intellectual, verbal and academic level. The aim of the present study was to verify the usability of JeStiMulE (which is its adaptability, effectiveness and efficiency) on a heterogeneous ASC group. We hypothesized that after JeStiMulE training, a performance improvement would be found in emotion recognition tasks.

Keywords: Serious game; High-functioning Autism; Low-functioning Autism; Social Skills Training; Emotion Recognition; Computer-based Intervention

Domains: Computer Science [cs]; Artificial Intelligence [cs.AI]; Computer Science [cs]; Technology for Human Learning

Sylvie Serret, Stephanie Hun, Galina Iakimova, Jose Lozada, Margarita Anastassova, et al.. Facing the challenge of teaching emotions to individuals with low- and high-functioning autism using a new Serious game: a pilot study. Molecular Autism, 2014, 5, pp.37. ⟨10.1186/2040-2392-5-37⟩. ⟨cea-01820321⟩