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Social Steps
Location
The Ohio State University
Date
AU 2025
Project type
Research through Design
A card game for developing social skills.
Motivation and problem space:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2013). This condition affects some crucial issues in social interaction of people with ASD, such as social anxiety, isolation, understanding, lower conversational ability, lower functional skills, empathy, eye contact, and sensory sensitivities (Dietert et al., 2011; Frith & Happé, 2005)
How might we design a card game for verbal ASD youth at Aspiration program in order to allow them to practice communication and problem-solving skills to better prepare them for societal interactions?
Intended Role of the Prototype: This card game is an educational aid for ASD youth.
Design Rationale: There is already an existing version of the card activity with two-sentence conversations in Aspiration. However, the problem is that it lacks gamification and does not provide a fun experience. This project focuses on transforming it into a designed game probe rather than just an activity.
Anticipated Knowledge Contribution: Developing knowledge on effective gamification design tailored for autistic youth.
*Please open the pictures below to see the descriptions.
