Peer-mediated intervention through Snapchat: Enhancing social interactions among students with Autism

Abstract

With the hope of improving students' social interactions who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia, the current study set out to examine the effectiveness of peer-mediated therapies delivered through the ubiquitous social media platform Snapchat. Thirty kids with ASD and 15 generally developing peers participated in the study. Alterations in social communication difficulties and observable social interactions were evaluated before and after the intervention to determine its efficacy. The results of the research revealed significant improvements in both self-reported difficulties with social communication and the quality of participants' interpersonal relationships. These findings demonstrate the groundbreaking methodology's deep applicability and widespread cross-cultural significance. Individuals with ASD have shown to benefit greatly from individualized, technology-based therapy to improve their social interactions, as shown by this study.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Peer-mediated interventions, Snapchat, Social interactions