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• Co-designing Robot Dogs with and for Neurodivergent Individuals: Opportunities and Challenges

  Ha-Kyung Kong, Derek Xie, Ankith Chandra, Rachel Lowy, Arielle F Maignan, Sehoon Ha, Chung Hyuk Park, Jennifer G Kim · 2024 · ASSETS '24: Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility

  This paper explores how robot dogs might support the daily lives of neurodivergent individuals through a series of three co-design workshops conducted over five weeks. While social robots have been studied in clinical and educational settings for neurodivergent populations,…

  neurodiversity · social robotics · co-design · participatory design · autism

• TwIPS: A Large Language Model Powered Texting Application to Simplify Conversational Nuances for Autistic Users

  Rukhshan Haroon, Fahad Dogar · 2024 · ASSETS '24: Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility

  This paper presents TwIPS, a prototype texting application powered by a large language model that assists autistic users with the pragmatic and tonal aspects of text-based communication. Many autistic individuals experience difficulties interpreting non-literal language…

  autism · communication · large language models · text messaging · tone interpretation

• MaskSound: Exploring Sound Masking Approaches to Support People with Autism in Managing Noise Sensitivity

  Anna Y Park, Andy Jin, Jeremy Zhengqi Huang, Jesse Carr, Dhruv Jain · 2024 · Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2024)

  This paper investigates sound masking as an alternative strategy for helping autistic individuals manage noise sensitivity in everyday environments. Unlike noise cancellation or isolation approaches that block out environmental sounds entirely, sound masking introduces ambient…

  autism · noise sensitivity · sound masking · sensory accessibility · auditory environment

• "I Am Human, Just Like You": What Intersectional, Neurodivergent Lived Experiences Bring to Accessibility Research

  Lindy Le · 2024 · Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2024)

  This paper uses critical autoethnography to examine how intersectional identities shape the experience of neurodivergence, drawing on the author's personal journey of discovering, accepting, and valuing their autism and ADHD diagnoses as a cisgender, Southeast Asian American,…

  neurodiversity · intersectionality · autism · ADHD · critical disability studies

• Adult Autism Research Priorities and Conceptualization in Computing Research: Invitation to Co-lead with Autistic Adults

  Dafne Zuleima Morgado Ramirez, Giulia Barbareschi, Cathy Holloway · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction

  This extensive literature review critically examines computing research involving autistic adults, analyzing 44 papers from the ACM Guide to Computing Literature published between 2007 and 2022. The work is distinctive in that the first author is autistic, bringing lived…

  autism · neurodiversity · adult autism · research priorities · disability models

• "It Was Something I Naturally Found Worked and Heard About Later": An Investigation of Body Doubling with Neurodivergent Participants

  Tessa Eagle, Kathryn E. Ringland · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This study investigates body doubling—using the presence of others to initiate, maintain focus on, or complete tasks—as a community-driven practice among neurodivergent individuals. The researchers conducted an online survey of 220 participants (193 identifying as…

  neurodivergence · ADHD · autism · executive function · task management

• Stress Detection of Autistic Adults during Simulated Job Interviews Using a Novel Physiological Dataset and Machine Learning

  Miroslava Migovich, Deeksha Adiani, Michael Breen, Amy Swanson, Timothy J. Vogus, Nilanjan Sarkar · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This research addresses the significant employment barriers faced by autistic adults, with job interviews identified as a primary obstacle. The researchers developed a physiological stress detection system integrated with CIRVR (Career Interview Readiness in Virtual Reality), a…

  autism · employment · job interview · physiological sensing · affective computing

• Banal Autistic Social Media: A Found Footage Autoethnography

  Kay Kender, Katta Spiel · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This position paper argues for designing social media platforms that support thriving neurodiverse online communities, moving beyond deficit-focused approaches that treat autistic users as needing to be "fixed" to match neurotypical social norms. The authors introduce "Banal…

  autism · neurodiversity · social media · design justice · autoethnography

• Experiences of Autistic Twitch Livestreamers: "I have made easily the most meaningful and impactful relationships"

  Terrance Mok, Anthony Tang, Adam McCrimmon, Lora Oehlberg · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '23)

  This paper presents a reflexive thematic analysis of interviews with 10 autistic adult Twitch livestreamers, exploring how autism uniquely shapes their experiences as content creators on a live video platform. The researchers first conducted a formative observation phase,…

  autism · livestreaming · social accessibility · online communities · neurodiversity

• Understanding Noise Sensitivity through Interactions in Two Online Autism Forums

  Emani Dotch, Jazette Johnson, Rebecca W. Black, Gillian R Hayes · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This qualitative study examines how autistic people discuss and manage noise sensitivity by analyzing posts and comments from two online autism forums. Noise sensitivity is one of the most prevalent sensory processing challenges for autistic individuals, experienced by 50-70% of…

  autism · noise sensitivity · sensory processing · online communities · assistive technology

• Investigation into Stress Triggers in Autistic Adults for the Development of Technological Self-Interventions

  John Joseph McGowan, Iain Peter McGregor · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper presents findings from a large-scale online survey of over 200 autistic adults and caregivers, investigating common stress triggers and the role of technology in stress management. The research is the initial phase of a broader project aimed at developing a Stress…

  autism · stress management · sensory processing · assistive technology · virtual reality

• AAC with Automated Vocabulary from Photographs: Insights from School and Speech-Language Therapy Settings

  Mauricio Fontana de Vargas, Jiamin Dai, Karyn Moffatt · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This paper presents Click AAC, a prototype mobile application that automatically generates situation-specific communication boards from photographs using computer vision and natural language processing. Traditional symbol-based AAC devices organize vocabulary hierarchically by…

  augmentative and alternative communication · AAC · autism · computer vision · just-in-time vocabulary

• Designing a Customizable Picture-Based Augmented Reality Application For Therapists and Educational Professionals Working in Autistic Contexts

  Tooba Ahsen, Christina Yu, Amanda O'Brien, Ralf W. Schlosser, Howard C. Shane, Dylan Oesch-Emmel, Eileen T. Crehan, Fahad Dogar · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This paper presents CustomAR, a mobile augmented reality application designed to allow therapists and educational professionals to create and customize picture-based AR experiences for use in autism-related learning activities. The work addresses a critical gap: while prior…

  augmented reality · autism · visual supports · customization · therapy

• Expressive Bodies Engaging with Embodied Disability Cultures for Collaborative Design Critiques

  Katta Spiel, Robin Angelini · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This experience report explores how embodied approaches — using physical bodies to express critique rather than relying solely on spoken or signed language — can produce richer, more direct feedback when designing technologies with disabled communities. The authors, both based…

  disability culture · participatory design · crip methodologies · embodied critique · autism

• MetaCogs: Mitigating Executive Dysfunction via Agent-based Modeling for Metacognitive Strategy Development

  Rua M. Williams, Kiana Alikhademi, Imani N. S. Munyaka, Juan E. Gilbert · 2022 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This study presents MetaCogs, a virtual reality experience designed to teach metacognitive strategies for managing executive dysfunction. Rather than targeting autistic or ADHD individuals as populations needing "intervention," the research centers autistic experiences as a…

  executive function · metacognition · autism · ADHD · virtual reality

• WLA4ND: a Wearable Dataset of Learning Activities for Young Adults with Neurodiversity to Provide Support in Education

  Hui Zheng, Pattiya Mahapasuthanon, Yujing Chen, Huzefa Rangwala, Anya S Evmenova, Vivian Genaro Motti · 2021 · Proceedings of the 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '21)

  This paper introduces WLA4ND (Wearable Learning Activities for Neurodiversity), the first wearable sensor dataset of learning activities collected from young adults with neurodiversity. While existing wearable sensor datasets focus on fitness, daily living, and locomotion…

  neurodiversity · wearable technology · machine learning · activity recognition · inclusive education

• How Online Tests Contribute to the Support System for People With Cognitive and Mental Disabilities

  Qisheng Li, Josephine Lee, Christina Zhang, Katharina Reinecke · 2021 · ASSETS '21: The 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility

  Approximately one in three people worldwide experience a cognitive or mental disability at some point in their lives, yet significant barriers — cost, lack of insurance, transportation, stigma, family resistance, and not knowing where to seek help — prevent many from obtaining…

  cognitive disability · mental health · online tests · self-diagnosis · disability identity

• Evaluation of the Use of Real-time 3D Graphics to Augment Therapeutic Music Sessions for Young People on the Autism Spectrum

  J. J. McGowan, I. McGregor, G. Leplâtre · 2021 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  CymaSense is a real-time 3D visualization application based on cymatics—the study of making sound visible through vibration patterns—designed to augment therapeutic music sessions for autistic individuals. The system maps audio parameters to visual elements: amplitude controls…

  autism · music therapy · multi-sensory · audio-visual · cymatics

• Autism Detection Based on Eye Movement Sequences on the Web: A Scanpath Trend Analysis Approach

  Sukru Eraslan, Yeliz Yesilada, Victoria Yaneva, Simon Harper · 2020 · Proceedings of the 17th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper investigates whether sequential eye-movement data — the order in which people look at elements on web pages — can be used to detect autism, improving upon the authors' previous non-sequential approach that achieved 75% accuracy but was unstable across different web…

  autism · eye tracking · machine learning · web accessibility · scanpath analysis

• Accessible conversational user interfaces: considerations for design

  Kate Lister, Tim Coughlan, Francisco Iniesto, Nick Freear, Peter Devine · 2020 · Proceedings of the 17th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper presents the first comprehensive review of accessibility considerations for conversational user interfaces (CUIs) — a category that includes chatbots, voice-activated personal assistants (like Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri), interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and…

  conversational user interfaces · chatbots · voice assistants · cognitive accessibility · mental health

• Designing Embodied Musical Interaction for Children with Autism

  Grazia Ragone · 2020 · Proceedings of the 22nd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2020)

  This paper presents OSMoSIS (Observation of Social Motor Synchrony with an Interactive System), an interactive musical system designed to support embodied musical interaction for children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) during music therapy sessions. Developed by the…

  autism · music therapy · embodied interaction · motion capture · sonification

• Lessons Learned in Designing AI for Autistic Adults

  Andrew Begel, John Tang, Sean Andrist, Michael Barnett, Tony Carbary, Piali Choudhury, Edward Cutrell, Alberto Fung, Sasa Junuzovic, Daniel McDuff, Kael Rowan, Shibashankar Sahoo, Jennifer Frances Waldern, Jessica Wolk, Hui Zheng, Annuska Zolyomi · 2020 · ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This short paper from Microsoft Research presents a candid account of a design failure and the valuable lessons it produced. The team set out to build Video Calling for Autism (VC4A), a video calling application with an "Expressiveness Mirror" that used AI-driven computer vision…

  autism · artificial intelligence · emotion recognition · video calling · participatory design

• Socio-Technical Aspirations for Children with Special Needs: A Study in Two Locations – India and Finland

  Sumita Sharma, Krishnaveni Achary, Saurabh Srivastava, Blessin Varkey, Jaakko Hakulinen, Markku Turunen · 2020 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This cross-cultural qualitative study proposes extending Boujarwah et al.'s three-part framework for assistive technology design by adding a fourth dimension: socio-technical aspirations. The authors define this as "individual- or community-driven ambition and desire to own or…

  assistive technology design · cross-cultural research · special education · autism · ADHD

• Interactive Technologies Designed for Children with Autism: Reports of Use and Desires from Parents, Teachers, and Therapists

  Cynthia Putnam, Christina Hanschke, Jennifer Todd, Jonathan Gemmell, Mia Kollia · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper examines how parents, teachers, and therapists use, perceive, discover, and desire interactive technologies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research combined 19 semi-structured interviews and 230 survey responses from caregivers across the United…

  autism · children · interactive technology · assistive technology · stakeholder perspectives

• Prefigurative Politics and Passionate Witnessing

  Rua M. Williams, LouAnne E. Boyd · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This experience report traces the unlikely partnership between two researchers — Rua Williams, an autistic disability studies scholar and activist, and LouAnne Boyd, a former behaviour therapist turned HCI researcher — whose work initially placed them on opposite sides of a…

  critical disability studies · autism · research ethics · disability justice · participatory design