Game-Based Learning to Enhance the Reading Ability of Children With Autism or Other Learning Difficulties

Abstract

The paper presents the design of a highly customizable game for children with autism spectrum disorder facing learning difficulties. The same solution can be used for children with or without other developmental disorders facing learning difficulties. The scope of the research was to create a generic solution to facilitate the learning process of reading in the targeted population. The latest pedagogical approaches (TEACCH, PECS, ABA, Makaton, etc.) are combined with appropriate gamification techniques to produce the desired outcome. The game has been developed with the unity game engine in order to run in any device. The final solution has been pilot tested in a small group of highly-functioning children with autism. The results of the design process and the early findings from the pilot testing are presented in the current paper.