Title: A new system for supporting children with autism spectrum disorder based on IoT and P2P technology

Authors: Ardiana Sula; Evjola Spaho; Keita Matsuo; Leonard Barolli; Fatos Xhafa; Rozeta Miho

Addresses: Polytechnic University of Tirana, Mother Teresa Square, No. 4, Tirana, Albania ' Fukuoka Institute of Technology, 3-30-1 Wajiro-Higashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 811-0295, Japan ' Fukuoka Prefectural Kaho-Sogo High School, 1117-1 Haji, Keisen-Machi, Kaho-Gun 820-0607, Fukuoka, Japan ' Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, 3-30-1 Wajiro-Higashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 811-0295, Japan ' Department of Languages and Informatics Systems, Technical University of Catalonia, C/Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, Spain ' Polytechnic University of Tirana, Mother Teresa Square, No. 4, Tirana, Albania

Abstract: In this paper, we implement and evaluate the performance of a new system based on internet of things (IoT) and P2P technology for supporting learning and improving the quality of life for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many children with autism are highly interested and motivated by smart devices such as computers and touch screen tablets. These types of assistive technology devices get children with autism to interact, make choices, respond, and tell parents what they are interested, need, think, and maybe even feel. Our proposed system uses JXTA-Overlay platform and SmartBox device to monitor the children and create P2P communication between children, caregivers and therapists. Various visual systems, such as objects, photographs, realistic drawings, line drawings, and written words, can be used with assorted modes of technology, as long as the child can readily comprehend the visual representation. Vocabulary skills, mathematics skills and other life skills can be taught through our proposed system. We evaluated the effect of our system during study sessions of children diagnosed with ASD. The experimental results show that our system supports engaged learning and the SmartBox increases and maintains the concentration of children with ASD during studying.

Keywords: assistive technology; smart environment; assistive learning; internet of things; IoT; peer to peer; P2P; autistic children; autism spectrum disorder; ASD; child support; quality of life; mental concentration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSC.2014.060688

International Journal of Space-Based and Situated Computing, 2014 Vol.4 No.1, pp.55 - 64

Received: 30 Sep 2013
Accepted: 12 Jan 2014
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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