A proposed ASD-CENTRIC framework: the case of ASDAPT

As the number of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) rises, the need for providing one-to-one treatment increases significantly. ASD is a complex lifelong disorder that has an intense impact on a person's development predominantly demonstrating strong deficiencies in many types of social behavior, social imagination and communication. Although people with autism share some common characteristics, no two individuals are the same. In this regards, computer-based treatment approaches should always be emphasizing on the abilities, individualistic characteristics and preferences of a person with ASD. In this paper, we propose an ASD-centric adaptation and personalization framework, namely ASDAPT, that utilizes an extended user profile which attempts to capture inclusively the attributes that could formulate a strong basis for the apt identification of an individual with ASD. Main aim of ASDAPT is to provide a unified adaptive approach to the learning process over a computer-based environment for children with ASD, discussing implementation considerations, taking place during the dynamic adaptation process, supported by a real life case scenario.