Wide Spectrum iOS Application addressing Autistic Requirement and Usability Issues

Abstract

Mentally Challenged people are garnering increasing attention and steps are being undertaken to ensure that their interests are brought into the forefront. Technology can serve to facilitate them as much as any other person. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a combination of communication and behavioural disability caused due to anomalous neuro-activity, which leaves an autistic child withdrawn from the world and unable to express and articulate freely. This inhibits the data collection process for design specifications, which lies at the core of software development. This thesis attempts to bring attention towards Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and establish framework for Requirements Engineering, which shall allow for the development of customized smartphone technology in order to facilitate those affected. This research study will propose a stepwise methodology for gathering requirements from autistic users. The methodology will be backed by a case study to prove the effectiveness of the proposed design. Moreover, in this thesis, an iOS application has been implemented based on a comparative analysis for usability of existing smartphone applications and the requirements gathered from the case study.