Reverting the social motivation and interaction algorithm : What if we learn to be social through our shared interests and passions ? A workshop experience

Background The core features of ASD continue to be understood as social. Many interventions are used to teach individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) how to socialize in instrucctional and relational ways with limited... [ view full abstract ]

Background
The core features of ASD continue to be understood as social. Many interventions are used to teach individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) how to socialize in instrucctional and relational ways with limited evidence in skills generalizations and fluctuant social motivation. This experience reports a year workshop for exploring and developing abilities and interests, and social and relational skills in groups with peers with mutual interests and passions through different activities with technology.
Method
The intervention was delivered for a year weekly for 17 adolescents from 10 to 18 years with ASD in workshops with groups of 4/5 children sorted by receptive language, IQ, and shared interests and passions for 1,5hs. Different modules were used to explore them :Videogames, Lego and Robotics, Documental and Video, Photography, Music, and Digital Art. After one year work parents, individuals and therapists coachs rated the same surveys.
Results
Most parents, therapist and children reported constant motivation for assisting to the workshop (76% 65% 73%). Improvements in peer relationships was also reported by parents ,by individuals themselves and therapists (64%, 82% 64) Improvement in social interaction was also reported by therapists, parents and children(59%, 64% 64%). In addition the productions were exhibited in different comunities settings.
Conclusions
Although many limitations, preliminar results suggest that it could be posible to improve social motivation, social interaction, and peer relationship trough the development of abilities and skills related to their shared interest and passions using autism friendly ways technology and highly motivation activities.

All the children in the project participated with consents of their family, and completed the intervention and surveys with their consent and permissions. No names, or individual analysis or clinical data is exposed. We... [ view full abstract ]

All the children in the project participated with consents of their family, and completed the intervention and surveys with their consent and permissions.
No names, or individual analysis or clinical data is exposed.
We declared not having any potencial conflict of interest
We declare not receiving founds for this intervention.