Marion Wolff

Quality of life: a key variable to consider in the evaluation of adjustment in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders and in the development of relevant support and assistance programmes

PurposeOur primary objective was to identify cognitive and behavioural profiles that affect adjustment, in order to make relevant recommendations about support and assistance for parents of autistic children.MethodOne hundred and sixty French parents completed a battery of questionnaires and self-report measures developed or adapted to assess (1) the child and family situations; (2) perceived stress; (3) perceived social support; (4) perceived control; (5) coping strategies; and (6) quality of life.ResultsThe psychometric properties of the instruments we used proved to be adequate. Our results support the pre-existing data and our findings may prove to be of interest to clinicians. Our primary finding was that emotion-focused coping strategies seem to be less effective. Parents who employed emotion-focused strategies were more stressed and more disturbed in most parts of their life. They also experienced more guilt and reported more false beliefs about PDD.ConclusionsOur data underscore the need for psychoeducation programmes for parents, focused on handling stress and emotions, modifying false beliefs and solving the daily problems that arise from PDD. We propose a 5-axis intervention model for parents of children with PDD, based on cognitive–behavioural therapies and on a stress management programme.

Physical ergonomics approach for touch screen interaction in an aircraft cockpit

The aim of this study was to define the physical ergonomics needs to optimize the integration of touch interaction in the future cockpit concept. A sample of 9 subjects were retained to cover the range of variability for Forward Reach ensuring that both small (5%) and large pilots (95%) are able to reach the controls from their seated position. A motion capture tool was used to capture functional reach envelops, pilot postures and upper limbs movements when subjects performed tactile tasks on different touchscreens locations. A subjective assessment for acceptability of posture (physical effort) was performed. Effects of task duration, visibility and hand lateralization were also considered. Results have shown that a set of criteria are to be considered to optimize Human System interaction. Physical effort varies depending on display location and task duration. The orientation of the displays needs also to be addressed to avoid visibility issues.

Human centered design approach to integrate touch screen in future aircraft cockpits

This research aimed at developing new types of Human-Machine interaction for future Airbus aircraft cockpit. Touch interaction needs to be studied because it brings some advantages for pilots. However, it is necessary to redefine pilots workspace to optimize touch interaction according to pilot population characteristics and human physical capabilities. This paper presents the touch interaction area model and the tactile assessment carried out to validate our hypothesis, leading to rules/guidelines for cockpit layout and HMI designers.

Dogs, Cats and Horses: Their Different Representations in the Minds of Typical and Clinical Populations of Children

ABSTRACT Programs using dogs, cats, and horses as adjuncts in educational or therapeutic activities for children are well documented, even if little is known about the distinction made by children with regard to specific animals. This study explores childrens thoughts about these three different animals. Three populations of children (84 typical children with no disabilities, 92 children with cognitive impairment, and 22 children with autism) were shown twelve pictures of animals and humans. The three groups of children were matched on mental age. Each child was asked to choose a picture in order to answer nine questions selected from existing tests and previous findings in the literature. This procedure allowed us to investigate what each animal represented to these three populations of children. The influence of morphological similarity, which can explain human preference for mammals, was also studied in a separate experiment. We found that the three mammals (dogs, cats, and horses) were perceived positively by both typical children and children with cognitive impairment (Principal component analysis Factor 1 “Positive Attributes”). Children with autism gave heterogeneous answers; therefore, it was more complicated to identify clearly what these animals meant to them. Pictures of humans were specifically associated with Factor 3 “Language-Based Relationship” of the principal component analysis. The possibility to touch the animal was an important factor of influence in the childrens choices. The morphological similarity between animals and humans could partly explain the results obtained for dogs, cats, and horses. Identifying what specific animals represent to individual children could improve the therapeutic process and allow a more appropriate choice of animal for each child.

Apports des tablettes tactiles pour jeunes adultes présentant une déficience mentale ou un trouble autistique: études de cas

The emergence of touchscreen interfaces and more specifically of tablet computers raises the question of contributions of this new interface as compared to conventional interfaces. With these case studies, we looked for possible contributions of touch pads for persons with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder, more particularly in terms of interaction and collaboration. An experiment was carried out to analyze interaction behaviors during an execution of tangram puzzles performed on a tablet computer, or in the conventional way using wooden pieces. Results suggest that the touch pad generates an increased motivation and promotes positive interaction between subjects.

Etude du comportement et des émotions dans un contexte de multisollicitations: approche exploratoire avec la Plateforme d'Evaluation, de prototypage et de teSts d'usageS ( PEPSS )

This exploratory study presents the results of an evaluation of human behavior obtained through a first use of the platform PEPSS (Prototyping platform for evaluating and use tests). During tests, subjects were confronted with a work situation characterized by multisollicitations induced by different distractors while performing a monitoring task. Using different tools, we have collected the performance, their emotional reactions and the subjective feeling. A multivariate analysis was used to study the behavior of subjects facing the multisollicitations. These first results open new opportunities for the analysis of work situations and evaluation of innovative products as the Platform PEPSS is reconfigurable and adaptable according to new needs.

User-defined SUIs: an exploratory study

In this poster we present an exploratory bottom-up experiment to assess the users choices in terms of bodily interactions when facing a set of tasks. 29 subjects were asked to perform basic tasks on a large screen TV in three positions: standing, sitting, and lying on a couch, without any guidance on how to perform them. As such, we obtained spontaneous interaction propositions for each task. Subjects were then interviewed on their choices, and their internal representation of information and its dynamics. A statistical analysis highlighted the preferred interactions in each position.

La conception des IHM chez NEXTER Systems: Mise en place d'une plateforme d'évaluation rattachée au banc d'études et de développement véhicules

NEXTER Systems has been working for over thirty years to optimize the design of its military ground platforms. Meanwhile, military systems have become increasingly complex. It raises the question of improving the interfaces shared between human and system, in order to meet the just need of the crew. This article presents the principles of an evaluation platform for operational use, mounted on a development bench.

De la gestion du risque fatigue à la prise de décision collaborative: l'exemple du drone Harfang

Harfang UAV is a high value asset in french intelligence arena. Since the initial operational capability (IOC), it has been deployed and involved in NATO operations. Its long endurance capability can lead operators to drowsiness and misunderstanding among crewmembers. Oftenly involved in high value point of interest surveillance but sometimes in « looking at stones » missions all night long without any clue about what is gonna pop up » Harfang crewmembers are facing a big challenge. In this paper, we present some recommandations about how to manage fatigue risk in UAV military operations and how to improve communications for an enhanced sensemaking among crew members.