Employing a Phased, Interdisciplinary Approach Across Healthcare and School Settings: mHealth Adaptations for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder At-Risk of Experiencing Obesity.

Researchers studied how to better design a health app (chatbot called WE CHAT) for autistic young people who may be at risk of obesity. They talked to autistic people, parents, doctors, and therapists to understand what would work best. Key findings showed that autism affects everyone differently, families need to be involved in care, and the app needs to be flexible to work for different people. The goal is to help autistic youth use health technology independently while reducing stress on caregivers.

This multi-phase qualitative study examined perspectives on developing mobile health (mHealth) technology for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are at increased obesity risk. The WE CHAT chatbot focuses on social determinants of health and social-emotional wellbeing. Researchers conducted discussions with individuals and parents of children with ASD, interviews with primary care providers, and interviews with interdisciplinary rehabilitation providers. Key themes identified included symptom variability among individuals with ASD, differing perceptions of mHealth technology value, importance of family-centered care, and need for interdisciplinary support.

Participants recommended incorporating branching logic to increase flexibility for diverse ASD presentations, aiming to support independent participation while reducing caregiver burden.

Findings suggest mHealth interventions for autistic youth should incorporate flexible, adaptive features and family-centered approaches. Interdisciplinary collaboration appears essential for effective implementation. The identified need for branching logic and reduced caregiver burden should inform future digital health tool development for this population.

Sample size not reported. Study design unclear from abstract. Limited detail on methodology and participant characteristics. No quantitative outcomes reported. Findings based on qualitative data only, limiting generalizability.

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at nearly twice the risk of experiencing obesity, compared to youth without ASD. Wellness Education to Create Healthy habits and Actions to Thrive (WE CHAT) is a novel chatbot that engages participants to enhance primary care delivery and associated care coordination services through mobile health (mHealth) technology focused on social determinants of health (SDOH) and social-emotional health. This study examines multiple perspectives regarding the development and implementation of innovative mHealth technology among youth with ASD. The phases of this study include (1) discussion among individuals and parents of children with ASD, (2) in-depth interviews with primary care providers (PCPs) who treat youth with ASD, and (3) in-depth interviews with interdisciplinary rehabilitation providers who treat youth with ASD.

Phases 1 and 2 employed rapid qualitative analysis, and Phase 3 involved inductive thematic analysis to provide context to gaps identified in prior phases. Key themes across the three phases included the variability of symptoms among individuals with ASD, the differences in perceived value of mHealth technology, the importance of family-centered care, and the role of interdisciplinary support. Participants recommended the development of branching logic to increase the flexibility of mHealth technology designed for youth with ASD. This study gathered insight from multiple perspectives to identify opportunities for supporting independent participation in mHealth technology while reducing associated caregiver burden among youth with ASD.

These findings may inform refinement and expansion of WE CHAT for patients with varying health needs.