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International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

HCII 2021: Design, User Experience, and Usability: Design for Diversity, Well-being, and Social Development pp 300–314Cite as

Adapting Participatory Design Activities for Autistic Adults: A Review

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 12780))

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review investigating the suitability of participatory design when conducted with autistic adults. Six relevant papers were discovered, with key information extracted prior to analysis. A thematic analysis revealed six core themes of adaptations and considerations to be made when working with autistic adults: (1) appropriate approaches and methodology, (2) individual differences, (3) flexibility, (4) communication, (5) environment and sensory issues and (6) challenge assumptions. Overall, it was found that participatory design is a suitable method for use with autistic adults, providing careful adjustments are made to some or all of the design activities to ensure their accessibility and effectiveness. It is important that researchers and practitioners have sufficient autism understanding to make these adjustments, and that they invest time to get to know the autistic people involved in their study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS6 3QS, UK

    Rachael Maun, Marc Fabri & Pip Trevorrow

Authors
  1. Rachael Maun
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  2. Marc Fabri
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  3. Pip Trevorrow
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Correspondence to Marc Fabri .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hunan University, School of Design, Changsha, China

    Marcelo M. Soares

  2. World Usability Day and Rabb School of Continuing Studies, Division of Graduate Professional Studies, Bentley University, Newton Center, MA, USA

    Elizabeth Rosenzweig

  3. Aaron Marcus and Associates, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Aaron Marcus

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Maun, R., Fabri, M., Trevorrow, P. (2021). Adapting Participatory Design Activities for Autistic Adults: A Review. In: Soares, M.M., Rosenzweig, E., Marcus, A. (eds) Design, User Experience, and Usability: Design for Diversity, Well-being, and Social Development. HCII 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12780. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78224-5_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78224-5_21

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