Design and Evaluation of AVATA-AAC, AAC-Based Digital Therapeutics to Improve Communication Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background and Objectives: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit delays and deficits in language development, necessitating early intervention using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The purpose of this study was to develop AVATA-AAC, an AAC-based digital therapeutic application designed to enhance the communication skills of children with ASD, and to evaluate its impact on vocabulary acquisition and AAC-based communication competences. Methods: AVATA-AAC consists of two major components: joint attention training and AAC-based communication learning. The communication learning is structured into three sequential activities—vocabulary comprehension, AAC symbol understanding, and AAC communication expression—designed around familiar scenarios to help children naturally acquire target vocabulary and expressions. Usability testing involved four children with ASD, aged 3 to 5, who had single-word level speech. The intervention was conducted over an 8-week period. We had pre- and post-tests for comparative analysis. Results: The comparison of pre- and post-intervention results showed improvements in vocabulary and language levels, indicating that the children made measurable progress in their communicative abilities following the AVATA-AAC intervention. Discussion and Conclusion: This study is significant in that it integrates joint attention development with AAC symbol learning, differentiating it from existing digital therapeutics for children with ASD. The findings suggest that AAC-based digital interventions can have a positive impact on communication development in children with ASD, particularly those at an early stage of language acquisition.