AutBlocks: Using Collaborative Learning to Develop Joint Attention Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The development of Joint Attention skills for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an important pre-requisite to them achieving their full potential in terms of social and emotional interaction skills as they progress through childhood. This paper describes the development of a multiuser collaborative game using gestural interaction to provide autistic children with social interaction difficulties a means to build, practice and consolidate their joint attention skills. The feedback and experiences of a group of teachers of children with Autism are also presented for analysis and planning for future work.