Use of an App With Embedded Video Modeling to Increase Eye Contact

The use of mobile applications (apps) is popular among parents and teachers due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of implementation, and the number of apps with the specific aim to increase eye contact for children with autism is growing rapidly. However, research is limited to assess the efficiency of the majority of the apps available for educational purposes. This study was conducted to determine whether the addition of video modeling via an app to ongoing classroom instruction could increase eye contact with familiar and unfamiliar people in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An experimental pretest–posttest control group design was applied with a full intervention group, a partial intervention group, and a control group. Forty-four U.S. students diagnosed with ASD, in kindergarten through third grade, engaged with social skill modules using an iPad app called We Are Friends. The frequency and duration of eye contact were measured. A 3-month follow-up test was given to determine maintenance. Results suggest the addition of the app was effective in increasing eye contact in children with ASD with both familiar and unfamiliar individuals.