Assistive Technology to Improve Collaboration in Children with ASD: State-of-the-Art and Future Challenges in the Smart Products Sector.

This review looked at technology products designed to help autistic children develop social and teamwork skills. Researchers found that there aren't enough products available that specifically help children learn to work together with others. Most current technologies don't allow multiple children to use them at the same time. The study also noted that many new products are becoming too virtual and losing physical elements that are important for children's development.

This comprehensive review analyzed assistive technology and smart products for children with ASD, focusing on tools that improve social and collaboration skills. The study examined scientific literature, market trends, and patents to assess current state-of-the-art solutions. Findings revealed limited availability of products specifically designed to facilitate collaboration skills in children with ASD. The review identified a particular gap in multi-user interface products that allow simultaneous participation of multiple users.

Additionally, the trend toward virtual environments was found to potentially reduce important material design aspects essential for child development. The research highlights the need for more sophisticated assistive technologies that can better support social skill development and collaborative behaviors in autistic children.

Results suggest need for development of collaborative assistive technologies with multi-user capabilities. Clinicians should consider incorporating existing collaborative tools while advocating for better technology solutions. Physical and material design elements should be preserved in digital interventions to support comprehensive skill development.

This is a review study without original empirical data. The abstract does not specify search methodology, inclusion criteria, or quality assessment procedures. No sample size or specific outcome measures are reported, limiting assessment of evidence quality.

Within the field of products for autism spectrum disorder, one of the main research areas is focused on the development of assistive technology. Mid and high-tech products integrate interactive and smart functions with multisensory reinforcements, making the user experience more intuitive, adaptable, and dynamic. These products have a very significant impact on improving the skills of children with autism, including collaboration and social skills, which are essential for the integration of these children into society and, therefore, their well-being. This work carried out an exhaustive analysis of the scientific literature, as well as market research and trends, and patent analysis to explore the state-of-the-art of assistive technology and smart products for children with ASD, specifically those aimed at improving social and communication skills.

The results show a reduced availability of products that act as facilitators of the special needs of children with ASD, which is even more evident for products aimed at improving collaboration skills. Products that allow the participation of several users simultaneously through multi-user interfaces are required. On top of this, the trend toward virtual environments is leading to a loss of material aspects in the design that are essential for the development of these children.