Negotiation Strategy Video Modeling Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Usability Study

In this article the results of a usability study of CONTACT, an application that supports negotiation strategy training via video modeling for enhancing the conflict resolution of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are presented. This application was modified from the NoProblem! prototype based on feedback from two focus groups of typically developing adolescents and therapists and teachers of adolescents with ASD. It has been designed to address social competencies through video modeling and complies with the principles of constructivist learning theory. Twenty-one adolescents with ASD, 12 to 18 years of age, and 27 age- and gender-matched typically developing adolescents participated in this study. The outcome measure used was the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. Both adolescents with ASD and typically developing adolescents perceived the application to be interesting and enjoyable; they claimed that it did not generate feelings of pressure or tension and that they had independent choices. The results also showed that adolescents with ASD felt significantly more competent than typically developing adolescents when using this application. The findings of this study emphasize the important role that the usability process has when designing and developing new technologies for educational purposes for adolescents with and without ASD.