The Impact of Educational Technology on the Emotional Development of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Views of Special Education Teachers

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

AMC - UEL

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to collect research data on the views of special educators regarding the use of technology in teaching emotions to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as its role in emotional development, communication skills, and social inclusion.
Methods: A quantitative research approach was adopted. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to a sample of 140 special educators. Demographic and professional characteristics of the participants were also examined as influencing factors.
Results: The findings revealed that special educators hold a positive attitude toward the use of technology in teaching emotions to children with ASD. The results indicate that technology supports the development and generalization of emotional understanding in these children. Moreover, educational technology was found to be particularly effective in enhancing general communication skills and promoting social inclusion. However, certain barriers were identified, including inadequate technological equipment and limited educator knowledge of technological tools, which hinder effective implementation.
Conclusion: The study concludes that educational technology is a valuable tool for supporting the emotional and communicative development of children with ASD and fostering their social inclusion. Despite educators’ positive perceptions, addressing obstacles such as insufficient infrastructure and lack of training is essential to fully integrate technological tools into special education practices.

Keywords


Bania, F., Antoniou, A. S., Theodoritsi, M., Theodoritsi, I., Charitaki, G., & Billis, E. (2019). Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDPS): Translation and cross-cultural validation in Greek. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1643420
Bania, F., Gianniki, M., Giannakoudi, S., Charitaki, G., Matzaroglou, C., & Billis, E. (2020). The Interaction with Disabled Persons scale (IDPS): Evidencing construct validity with factor analysis and measurement invariance in Greek-speaking healthcare students. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1850890
Charitaki, G. (2015). The effect of ICT on emotional education and development of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Procedia Computer Science, 65, 285–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.09.079
Charitaki, G., Alevriadou, A., & Soulis, S. G. (2022). Early numeracy profiles in young children with intellectual disabilities: The role of cognitive functions. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17446295221117021. https://doi.org/10.1177/17446295221117021
Charitaki, G., Soulis, S. G., & Alevriadou, A. (2021). Factor structure of early numeracy: Evaluation of a measurement model in Greek-speaking children with intellectual disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2021.1950496
Charitaki, G., Soulis, S. G., & Tyropoli, R. (2021). Academic self-regulation in autism spectrum disorder: A principal components analysis. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 68(1), 26–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2019.1679712
Charitaki, G., Vretudaki, H., & Kypriotaki, M. (2024). Assessing mathematics teaching efficacy profiles in kindergarten: The impact of special educational needs, school climate, responsibility for student achievement, self-efficacy, and locus of control. Asian Journal for Mathematics Education, 27527263251329953. https://doi.org/10.1080/27689792.2024.2752726
Chatzipantazis, V. (2010). Autism (Master’s thesis). Technological Educational Institute of Epirus.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2008). Educational research methodology (1st ed.). Metaichmio.
Economopoulos, M. (2019). Technologies as learning tools for children with autism: Views of special education teachers (Master’s thesis). University of Patras.
Galanis, P. (2015). Applying the principles of differentiation in the context of special education. Institute of Educational Policy.
Galanis, P. (2017). Basic principles of qualitative research in health sciences. Archives of Hellenic Medicine, 34(6), 834–840.
Gena, A. (2002). Autism and pervasive developmental disorders: Evaluation–diagnosis–treatment. Author’s Edition.
Georgaki, C. (2019). The attitudes of special education primary education teachers regarding the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to support students with autism (Diploma thesis). University of Macedonia.
Giavrimis, P., Papanis, E., Neofotistos, V., & Balkanos, E. (2010). Teachers' views on the application of ICT in education. In Proceedings of the 7th Panhellenic Conference with International Participation “ICT in Education” (pp. 23–26). University of Peloponnese.
Humphrey, N., & Symes, W. (2013). Inclusive education for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders in secondary mainstream schools: Teacher attitudes, experience and knowledge. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 17(1), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2011.580462
Karipidis, N. (2013). Obstacles and problems in trying to use ICT to teach other subjects. In Proceedings of the 7th Panhellenic Conference of Teachers of Informatics (pp. 12–14). Thessaloniki.
Koukoyi, E., Xiao-xia, L., Dzikunu, A. D. K., Bobobee, D. E., & Odoi-Lartey, B. (2024). Human–computer interaction for affective state detection using facial expression. Management Science and Information Technology, 1(1), 20–30. https://doi.org/10.56028/msit.1.1.20
Kourbetis, V. (2015). Special educational material for students with autism: “The Dolphin”.
Luiselli, J., Russo, D., Christian, W., & Wilczynski, S. (2008). Effective practices for children with autism: Educational and behavior support interventions that work (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med:psych/9780195342338.001.0001
Makris, A., & Markou, P. (2015). New technologies in special education. Scientific Journal Articles C.V.P. Pedagogiki & Educationis.
Markodimitraki, M., Charitaki, G., Kypriotaki, M., Fragogianni, M. E., & Kypriotakis, G. (2022). The role of marital satisfaction and social activities on parents’ self-perception: Evidence from Greek families of children with and without disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2022.2109929
Mavropoulou, S. (2011). Effective educational approaches and teaching strategies for children on the autism spectrum. In S. Panteliadou & V. Argyropoulos (Eds.), Special education: From research to teaching practice (pp. xx–xx). Pedio.
Nikolaou, D. (2012). Touching the autism spectrum (Master’s thesis). Higher Technological Educational Institute of Epirus.
Ouzouni, C., & Nakakis, K. (2011). The reliability and validity of measurement tools in quantitative studies. Nursing, 50(2), 231–239.
Papageorgiou, K. (2016). The use of new technologies in general and special education. In Proceedings of the 6th Panhellenic Conference on Education and Special Education Sciences (pp. xx–xx). National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
Papazoglou, Th. (2017). The use of ICT in the teaching of English to students with ASD (Master’s thesis). University of Thessaly.
Riala, A. (2019). The views of special educators on the cultivation of emotions in children with autism through technology (Diploma thesis). University of Macedonia.
Sarafidou, G. O. (2011). Articulation of quantitative and qualitative approaches: Empirical research (1st ed.). Gutenberg.
Stamboltzi, A., Kalouri, R., & Tsitsou, E. (2018). Students on the autism spectrum: Barriers, possibilities and ways of support in higher education. Research in Education, 7(1), 28–43. https://doi.org/10.26220/rev.2018.7.1.28
Suárez-Rodríguez, J., Almerich, G., Orellana, N., & Díaz-García, I. (2018). A basic model of integration of ICT by teachers: Competence and use. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66, 1165–1187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-018-9594-0
Tasiopoulou, M. (2025). Teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion of children with general learning difficulties. Management Science and Information Technology, 2(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.56028/msit.2.2.1
Tsiopela, D., & Atsoglou, K. (2009). The use of computers in the education of people with autism. In Proceedings of the 1st Educational Conference of the CoR “Integration and use of ICT in the educational process” (pp. 24–26). University of Thessaly.
Tsiopela, D., & Tzimogiannis, A. (2017). ICT in the education of people with autism spectrum disorders: A literature review. Issues of Science and Technology in Education, 10(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.12681/jst.14538
Varthalami, K., & Karagiannis, L. (2016). Autism: From theoretical to therapeutic approach (Thesis). Technological Educational Institute of Epirus.
Vogiatzi, X. A., Charitaki, G., & Kourkoutas, E. (2021). Assessing psychometric properties of the Sentiments, Attitudes, and Concerns about Inclusive Education Scale in a Greek-speaking sample of in-service teachers. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-021-09554-x
Vogiatzi, C. A., Charitaki, G., Kourkoutas, E., & Forlin, C. (2022). The Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices (TEIP) Scale: Further evidence for construct validity in Greek-speaking teachers. Prospects, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-022-09605-w
Yekinni, S. A., & Ogbuanya, T. C. (2024). Assessment of Virtual Lab Integration Capacity Improvement Need of University Teachers in Electrical/Electronic Technology Practical Class to Surpass Lockdown Barriers. Management Science and Information Technology, 1(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.22034/ISS.2024.2495