Espectro do utilizador: estratégias de app design destinadas a crianças com perturbação do espectro do autismo

This research aims to design an app that provides a learning experience tailored to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), complying with the principles of universal design for learning and inclusive design, as well as identifying domain qualities, technology and communication design processes, methodologies and languages in the context of creating more flexible learning environments focused on individual’s needs. The study begins with a research into the characteristics of the pathology and the areas of difficulty it manifests, what impact they have on the learning process and how the incorporation of digital media can enhance this context. A set of strategies and elements to use and avoid when developing a design project are then presented, based on researches and studies dedicated to ASD group. An approach is made to a Child Neurodevelopment Center; through this monitoring context, a Case Study is elaborated for one of the apps that the Center has developed to understand users and the difficulties they face while using the apps. From the definition of strategies and the analysis of the user-interface interaction, the research project component is presented - the development of a prototype that proposes the acquisition of a set of words in its writing and reading, following a methodology that is adequate to PEA’s learning process. Later, we present the results of the prototype usability tests applied to children and the adjustments that were made. The development of this project aims to explore its limits and potentials, and promotes the creation of better usability, interaction and accessibility experiences adapted to the specifics of the Autism Spectrum