Brief Report
Feasibility and usability of experience sampling methodology for capturing everyday experiences of individuals with autism spectrum disorders

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2014.04.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Understanding experiences from the perspective of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), in the myriad of circumstances in which they find themselves every day, is crucial for developing client-centered interventions. However, capturing these experiences can be difficult.

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and usability of experience sampling method (ESM), an ecological momentary assessment, for studying individuals with ASD.

Methods

Four participants (2 males) with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism aged 16–32 years carried an iPod touch or iPhone with a pre-installed ESM survey exploring the situation and their perceived internal experiences. Participants were asked to respond to the survey 7 times daily, at random times generated by the device, for 7 days.

Results

A high signal response rate (mean = 71%) and a short average time required for survey completion (mean = 1 min 42 s) supported feasibility of the ESM for use in research with individuals with ASD. Participants reported that the questions were straightforward and that survey completion interfered very little with everyday activities, supporting acceptability of the method. Results of a split-week analysis revealed consistency of experiences; correlations among experiences that are linked logically provided evidence of the internal logic of data gathered using the ESM. Through graphic analysis, we illustrated the usability of ESM for capturing the influence of everyday contexts on internal experiences/perceptions.

Conclusions

The ESM holds promise for examining the impact of social context on the everyday experiences of individuals with ASD.

Section snippets

Methods

The study had approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee and The Autism Spectrum Australia Research Approval Committee. Written consent was obtained from all participants and from parents of participants younger than 18.

Results

The mean signal response rate was 71% (63%–92%), which was considered acceptable. Participants reported device issues and contextual influences as reasons for missing surveys. Beeps were sometimes not loud enough in public places but sometimes considered annoying in quiet places. The mean time spent on survey completion was 1 min 42 s (SD = 52 s), which was considered appropriate.15

All participants reported that the questions were straightforward and that the iOS device and the PIEL App were

Discussion

The short survey, the use of the iOS device and the PIEL App all seemed to support feasibility of the ESM for collecting data on the everyday experiences of adults with ASD. Participants reported that the method did not significantly interfere with their daily routines and that they were able to shift back and forth between the activity they were engaged in and the survey; this was in contrast to the resistance to change found previously with children.30 Feasibility also was reflected in a

Conclusion

This preliminary study supported that the ESM with the PIEL App was feasible and useful in capturing everyday experience of people with ASD. Findings of this study will enable researchers to investigate everyday experiences of this population and may assist with future research with other populations.

Acknowledgments

The study was completed by the first author as part of the requirements for the completion of PhD under supervision of the other authors. The authors would like to acknowledge the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney for the Mary Frances Stephens Scholarship and Postgraduate Research Support Scheme. The authors also wish to express their gratitude to the people who participated in the research, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and other autism related associations in Australia for

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    Partial results were presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research in 2013.

    The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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