A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries
The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Arab countries necessitates evidence-based interventions. Assistive technology (AT) presents a promising approach. However, data on the pervasiveness of AT use and its effectiveness for individuals with ASD, specifically within Arab countrie...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Children |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/11/1828 |
| _version_ | 1827640224969129984 |
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| author | Maha Al-Hendawi Esraa Hussein Badriya Al Ghafri Sefa Bulut |
| author_facet | Maha Al-Hendawi Esraa Hussein Badriya Al Ghafri Sefa Bulut |
| author_sort | Maha Al-Hendawi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Arab countries necessitates evidence-based interventions. Assistive technology (AT) presents a promising approach. However, data on the pervasiveness of AT use and its effectiveness for individuals with ASD, specifically within Arab countries, remain scarce. Objective: To review the current literature on the AT interventions and outcomes reported for individuals with ASD in Arab countries. Methods: A scoping review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was undertaken to explore the utilization of AT, segmented into three categories: low-technology (low-tech), mid-technology (mid-tech), and high-technology (high-tech) devices. Results: Twelve studies had a pooled sample of 1547 participants, primarily male school-aged children with ASD. The AT applications evaluated ranged from low-tech visual schedules and support to high-tech virtual reality systems. Studies have reported the potential benefits of AT in improving communication, social, academic, adaptive, and functional abilities; however, comparative evidence between AT interventions is limited. The identified barriers to the adoption of AT included caregiver uncertainty about the use of AT and a lack of awareness of AT among professionals and the Arab community in general. Conclusion: Available studies suggest that the adoption of AT can enhance the skills of individuals with ASD in Arab countries. However, more rigorous studies across diverse demographic groups and Arab national regions are needed to strengthen the evidence base and provide appropriate recommendations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:55:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a195544eada94bb895b82d65edd19935 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:55:57Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-a195544eada94bb895b82d65edd199352023-11-24T14:36:02ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-11-011011182810.3390/children10111828A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab CountriesMaha Al-Hendawi0Esraa Hussein1Badriya Al Ghafri2Sefa Bulut3Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarDepartment of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarDepartment of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarDepartment of Counseling Psychology, School of Education, Ibn Haldun University, 34494 İstanbul, TurkeyThe rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Arab countries necessitates evidence-based interventions. Assistive technology (AT) presents a promising approach. However, data on the pervasiveness of AT use and its effectiveness for individuals with ASD, specifically within Arab countries, remain scarce. Objective: To review the current literature on the AT interventions and outcomes reported for individuals with ASD in Arab countries. Methods: A scoping review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was undertaken to explore the utilization of AT, segmented into three categories: low-technology (low-tech), mid-technology (mid-tech), and high-technology (high-tech) devices. Results: Twelve studies had a pooled sample of 1547 participants, primarily male school-aged children with ASD. The AT applications evaluated ranged from low-tech visual schedules and support to high-tech virtual reality systems. Studies have reported the potential benefits of AT in improving communication, social, academic, adaptive, and functional abilities; however, comparative evidence between AT interventions is limited. The identified barriers to the adoption of AT included caregiver uncertainty about the use of AT and a lack of awareness of AT among professionals and the Arab community in general. Conclusion: Available studies suggest that the adoption of AT can enhance the skills of individuals with ASD in Arab countries. However, more rigorous studies across diverse demographic groups and Arab national regions are needed to strengthen the evidence base and provide appropriate recommendations.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/11/1828autism spectrum disorderassistive technologyArab countriesscoping review |
| spellingShingle | Maha Al-Hendawi Esraa Hussein Badriya Al Ghafri Sefa Bulut A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries Children autism spectrum disorder assistive technology Arab countries scoping review |
| title | A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries |
| title_full | A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries |
| title_fullStr | A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries |
| title_short | A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries |
| title_sort | scoping review of studies on assistive technology interventions and their impact on individuals with autism spectrum disorder in arab countries |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder assistive technology Arab countries scoping review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/11/1828 |
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