A qualitative study investigating caregiver perspectives of an artificial intelligence assistive device to support daily activities in families with children with autism spectrum disorder

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families report diverse challenges in adaptive functioning. Artificial intelligence (AI)-assistive devices can offer innovative solutions to support adaptive functioning by offering real time assistance and capacity to adapt to heterogenous needs. Objective: This qualitative study utilised an AI-assistive device, the Pixi Home-Hub, to explore caregiver perspectives, experiences and needs related to the broader potential of AI to support adaptive functioning in their daily lives. Methods: Criterion purposive sampling recruited 10 caregivers of children with ASD. Two focus groups were conducted to discuss how an AI-assistive device, the Pixi Home-Hub, could support their child and families adaptive functioning. Content analysis was utilised to interpret the data. Independent coding by a second reviewer, analytical memos and peer review were employed to promote rigour. Results: Three key themes emerged from the data: (1) Caregiver experiences of their child's adaptive functioning in daily activities and areas for growth, (2) Caregiver experiences of balancing their child's support needs with their own, and (3) Access and barriers to integrating AI technology into everyday use. Conclusion: Caregivers believed that AI-technology can play a role in supporting their family's adaptive functioning activities and proposed using AI-assistive devices as a digital support navigator to facilitate greater access to health and government supports.