Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Prepare for Hospital Visits with the Little Journey App

Project Summary

Hospital visits can be stressful for children, particularly those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).The unfamiliar environment may cause them to experience heightened feelings of emotion such as anxiety. To help address this, Little Journey Ltd have developed an app designed to support children and their families in preparing them for hospital visits. To assess the app’s usability and acceptability, Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) and the NIHR Health Tech Research Centre in Devices, Digital and Robotics (HRC-DDR) partnered with Little Journey to conduct a usability study. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the app’s ease of use and acceptability by parents and children aged between 3-12 years old who have a diagnosis of ASD.

Unmet Need

Study Children with ASD often struggle during hospital visits due to sensory sensitivities and processing new information in an unfamiliar setting. It has been reported that some parents have found that support with their children’s hospital visits has been insufficient, with guidance not tailored for children with ASD [1]. More engaging and simple guidance is required to reduce anxiety and improve their children’s experience.

The Solution

Little Journey developed a child-friendly app designed to help children and their families feel more comfortable before attending a hospital visit. The app includes tools to understand patient needs, build rapport, assess anxiety and review past hospital experiences, allowing clinicians to make adjustments in advance for a more comfortable visit.

How the study was conducted

Participants were recruited from BCH through approved recruitment flyers. Interested families received an age-appropriate participant information sheet and were given sufficient time to consider participation before being contacted by the research team. Those meeting the eligibility criteria attended a hospital visit, where their eligibility was confirmed. Parental consent and child assent (aged 6 and above) were received for participation in the study. Usability testing was conducted in a quiet, distraction-free space, where seven participants and their parent completed structured tasks using the app. After completing the tasks, they took part in a semi-structured interview to share their feedback. The study conditions closely reflected real-world app use, providing valuable insights into its usability and effectiveness.

Outcomes

The initial feedback from both child and parent participants regarding the Little Journey app was positive. Children found the app easy to use, engaging, and enjoyable, with many highlighting the tours and quizzes as a key feature. Several children expressed interest in more interactive elements, such as additional games and the ability to create their own characters. Parent participants also praised the app for its user-friendly design and its potential to help their child prepare for hospital visits. They noted that the app’s quizzes and hospital room tours could play a crucial role in understanding their child’s needs and preferences; ensuring a more personalised and less stressful hospital experience. Overall, the feedback suggests that the app is an effective tool in supporting children with ASD and their families, enhancing communication with healthcare providers and improving the overall experience.

Future Developments

Following the study conducted with HRC-DDR and BCH, Little Journey is working on further app enhancements. The app will introduce additional interactive games, allowing children to create their own characters and include realistic images of hospital rooms and equipment to enhance their experience. To improve accessibility, multiple language options will be added and the quiz interface will be simplified for clearer understanding and improved functionality. Positive reinforcement will also be incorporated at the end of the quizzes to encourage participation and build confidence. Through this collaboration, Little Journey has the potential to positively transform the hospital experience for children with ASD, supporting more inclusive and responsive care.

References

1. Tinybeans (2022) – The LEGO Foundation Just Invested $20M to SupportNeurodivergent Children.