On Friday 13 March, the COINTEND project was presented at the National Autism Conference. Through a poster presentation, we shared our plans for the coming years.
The power of 'letting be': An embodied design approach to support neuro-inclusive social interactions
Introduction
We introduce a neuro-inclusive, embodied design approach to designing
supportive technology for children with autism and those close to them.
In line with the double empathy problem, we do not view autism as a
one-sided social disorder. We therefore argue against supportive
technologies that seek to teach children with autism 'social skills'.
Instead, we draw on enactivist theories of embodied sense-making.
According to enactivism, two people adaptively maintain their autonomy
in interaction by forming affectively charged mutual couplings of action
and perception. In a neurodiverse setting, difficulties may already
arise at the pre-reflective, non-verbal level in forming these
couplings. Both participants have 'embodied interaction needs' that the
other cannot meet without placing their own interactively maintained
autonomy at risk. To support successful, 'neuro-inclusive' interaction,
an approach is needed that respects each person’s unique way of
being-in-the-world, whilst at the same time helping to resolve
miscommunications in interaction.
Method
Over the coming years, we will investigate how social interactions
between children with autism and those close to them (classmates,
teachers and family members) in everyday situations, such as at school
or at home, can be supported through co-design. We draw on a range of
knowledge domains, including design research, creative and psychomotor
therapy, contemporary perspectives on autism, theories of embodied
interaction, ethics, professional expertise and lived experience.
Results
Drawing on several pilot studies, we outline our initial research
framework, which will provide the foundation for the work over the
coming years. We discuss the implications for research methodology,
research and innovation ethics, and offer initial suggestions for design
principles. This work will result in: (1) a co-design toolkit comprising
neuro-inclusive methods and techniques; (2) technologically supported
variants of creative and psychomotor therapy; (3) prototypes of
supportive technologies to foster embodied social interaction; (4) a
framework for “neuro-inclusive” research and innovation (RRI); and (5)
an overarching framework for knowledge integration, enabling better
alignment and promotion across the aforementioned knowledge domains.
Discussion
The research aims to have an impact at the micro, meso and macro levels.
At the micro level, we contribute to the quality of everyday social
interactions between children with autism and those around them. The
strength of “letting be” lies in the fact that, according to this
approach, participants in the interaction are not encouraged to conform
to normative social conventions regarding timing, pace, and verbal and
non-verbal expression. At the meso level, we develop and disseminate
neuro-inclusive interaction practices tailored to relaxed home and
school contexts, alongside neuro-inclusive approaches to co-design and
technology development. At the macro level, we contribute to critical
societal debate on alternative ways of thinking about autism and
support, emphasising inclusive perspectives on chronic conditions.
See the full poster up-close here!
