Autimo: Designing A Gamified Product to Enhance Fundamental Motor Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) significantly affects fundamental motor skills (FMS) development in children. Despite numerous occupational therapy strategies to address FMS, there is a significant gap in qualitative research exploring the design of gamified products for the development of FMS. Conducting 38 interviews with parents and seven observations of children with ASD, we developed Autimo for children aged 5 to 9, engaging them with a product to do FMS in homes or clinics. Autimo incorporates gamification techniques from the Octalysis framework and physical activities from the Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) program. The results of our study reveal insights into the design and delivery of early gamified FMS interventions. Furthermore, it suggests positive feedback from children and occupational therapists (OTs), reassuring the potential acceptance of Autimo. Although future longitudinal or controlled studies is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of gamified FMS interventions.

Keywords: gamification, fundamental motor skills (FMS), gross motor skills, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), product design

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007210