Parents' attitudes towards using assistive technologies for children with ASD in Jordan.

Researchers surveyed 130 Jordanian parents about their views on assistive technology for their autistic children. Most children regularly used smartphones and iPads. Parents generally had positive attitudes about these tools helping their children, but nearly half felt they lacked support from others to use these technologies. Cost and lack of awareness were main barriers. The study suggests that with more support and familiarity, parents would be more likely to use assistive technology.

This cross-sectional study examined attitudes of 130 Jordanian parents toward assistive technology (AT) for children with autism spectrum disorder using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework. Most children used smartphones (89.6%) and iPads (24%) regularly, while specialized tools like talking books and smart boards had minimal usage. Parents showed moderate agreement across key acceptance factors: effort expectancy (68.7%), performance expectancy (58.7%), and positive attitudes (65%). However, 47.8% reported low social support for AT use, attributed to limited awareness and financial constraints.

Technology usage explained 41% of performance expectancy variance, while parental factors accounted for 43% of effort expectancy variance. Results suggest increasing technology usage and social support could enhance AT adoption.

Findings suggest interventions should focus on increasing parental familiarity with assistive technology and building social support networks. Financial support programs and awareness campaigns may improve AT adoption. Healthcare providers should consider parental attitudes and social context when recommending assistive technology interventions.

Single cross-sectional study from Jordan limits generalizability to other cultures. Sample characteristics and recruitment methods not fully described. Self-reported data may introduce bias. No comparison with actual AT effectiveness outcomes or long-term usage patterns.

This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance and attitudes of Jordanian parents toward assistive technology (AT) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). In this cross-sectional study, 130 parents participated, most female (73.8%) and over 34 (70.8%). The majority (89.6%) reported that their children used smartphones, with 68.5% using them several times daily. Smartphones (89.6%) and iPads (24%) were the most frequently used technologies, while talking books (4%) and smart boards (2.4%) had the lowest usage.

UTAUT results showed moderate agreement in most factors: effort expectancy (68.7%), performance expectancy (58.7%), and attitudes toward technology (65%). Notably, 47.8% of parents reported low social support for using AT, likely due to limited awareness and financial constraints. Regression analysis revealed that technology usage explained 41% of the variance in performance expectancy, while parental factors accounted for 43% of the variance in effort expectancy. Significant positive relationships were found between AT usage, behavioral intention, and actual use.

These findings suggest that increasing technology usage and social support may enhance the adoption of AT for children with ASD.