A new PhD research by UT researcher Niels van Huizen (ET) offers an alternative perspective for using technology for autistic young people. By designing technology according to the neurodiversity model, in which autism is not seen as a 'disorder', but as a different way of being, assistive technologies can serve a more powerful and human-centred purpose. Instead of compensating for a 'deficit', technology becomes a supportive part of the everyday practice of autistic young people.
Technology can play an important role in the daily lives of autistic young people. Think of tools for stimuli, communication, and control functions of the brain. But its use remains limited. An important reason for this is the dominant influence of the medical model of autism, which emphasizes the 'recovery' or 'normalization' of autistic characteristics. This model and the technologies that result from it are increasingly criticized for unnecessarily problematizing autistic traits and not taking sufficient account of the environment as a cause of everyday challenges.
Niels van Huizen's research makes four important scientific contributions:
Four pillars of scientific breakthroughs
- Putting experience first – Gaining insight into the full experience of autism and how technology can fit in seamlessly.
- Design by the user – Autistic young people are actively involved in the design of their assistive technology.
- From compensation to empowerment – Technology should not force autistic young people to adapt but rather empower them.
- New view on autism – Design research contributes to a broader, more critical view of autism, emphasising the relationship between the individual and the environment.
These objectives came together in the research project 'Design Your Life', conceived and led by Associate Professor Jelle van Dijk, also co-promoter of Van Huizen. Young people were given a toolkit to design their assistive technologies. The results were striking: participants designed unexpected, personalised tools that met their specific support needs. However, they were sometimes hampered by a lack of technical knowledge or access to certain machines.
Research project Design Your Life wins RAAK Award
'Design Your Life' developed a toolkit that enables young people with autism to be more self-reliant. The HAN University of Applied Sciences research team developed the toolkit with the University of Twente, the target group and professionals. Design Your Life recently received the RAAK award and won € 25,000. Taskforce for Applied Research SIA presents this RAAK award every year during the SIA conference to put practice-oriented research of universities of applied sciences in the spotlight.
Empowerment by design
The results of the PhD research show that assistive technology can contribute to daily functioning and strengthen the self-direction and autonomy of autistic young people. Technology can act as a conversation mediator, as a tool to understand sensory experiences or as an 'object of knowledge' that helps non-autistic people understand what it means to be autistic.
A new path for healthcare professionals
The insights from this research also offer starting points for healthcare professionals. By working with a design-oriented approach, caregivers can not only better meet the needs of autistic clients, but also contribute to their empowerment. The research offers an alternative to the medical model, by emphasizing co-creation and personalized support.
Learn more
Niels van Huizen's PhD defence took place on 11 December on the UT campus. More information about the mini-symposium can be found here.
