A master thesis from Aalborg University
DALIA; A DYNAMIC ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING TOOL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION ABILITIES AMONG TODDLERS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: Dynamic Artificial Lighting In Autism
[DALIA; A DYNAMIC ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING TOOL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION ABILITIES AMONG TODDLERS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER]
Author(s)
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-06-11
Pages
92 pages
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a life-long neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by deficits in communication, social interaction and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours which affects one in every hundred people in Europe (Lord et al. 2018; Foundation UEFA pour l’enfance, FIRAH, and Garnier 2017; Barthélémy et al. 2019; Autism Europe 2020). Although there is no cure for Autism, studies suggest that early support intervention, behaviour therapies and family support can lead to the development of skills in communication and social interaction among individuals on the Spectrum, extending the possibility of a better quality of life (Barthélémy et al. 2019). As visual perception is one of the most preserved sensory systems among the ASD population; this thesis explores the use of artificial lighting as a tool for the development of joint attention, communication and social interaction abilities among children on the Spectrum. This project argues that light is the most apparent visual stimuli for humans and, by challenging the use of artificial lighting beyond its primary function (to provide visibility), proposes the design of DALIA; a dynamic artificial lighting tool. Which, by using it during support interventions on learning environments can promote joint attention, communication and social interaction skills among toddlers on the Spectrum. DALIA arise as a possible answer to the principal hypothesis of this project: Can artificial lighting be used as a tool for the development of communication and social interaction abilities among toddlers on Autism Spectrum Disorder?. Literature review, empirical evidence and involvement of professionals on ASD during the research and design development stages of the project reveals that there is an opportunity to use artificial lighting as an educational tool of people on ASD. As there is a lack of evidence-based research regarding the connection of light and Autism; this thesis proposes a protocol for testing DALIA and, finalises addressing prospects of future work which can reveal more data about the relationship of light and individuals on the Spectrum.
Keywords
Documents
Colophon: This page is part of the AAU Student Projects portal, which is run by Aalborg University. Here, you can find and download publicly available bachelor's theses and master's projects from across the university dating from 2008 onwards. Student projects from before 2008 are available in printed form at Aalborg University Library.
If you have any questions about AAU Student Projects or the research registration, dissemination and analysis at Aalborg University, please feel free to contact the VBN team. You can also find more information in the AAU Student Projects FAQs.