Designing ReduCat
Andrea Alessandrini, Victor Loux, Gabriel Ferreira Serra, Cormac Murray · 2016
This paper describes the design of ReduCat, an audio-augmented paper drawings tangible user interface (TUI) system intended to support educational intervention for high-functioning children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The system records audio snippets on standard paper drawings using a tangible user interface that can be shared between the therapist and the child. ReduCat is designed as a tool for the therapist to engage the child in a collaborative storytelling activity. We used a progressive design method based on a dynamic process that merges concept generation, technology benchmarking and activity design into continuously enriching actions. The paper highlights the qualities and benefits of using tangible audio-augmented artefacts in educational intervention for children with ASD. Finally, we reflect on three main qualities of our system: exploring the qualities of children's written and oral narrative; framing children's attention; and supporting therapist appropriation and child differences.