Engagement, motivation, or sustained attention? Rethinking the effects of technology in autism - Takeaways - MDSpire

Engagement, motivation, or sustained attention? Rethinking the effects of technology in autism

  • By

  • Anna Meduri

  • Chiara Marraffa

  • Gaia Roccaforte

  • Paola Chilà

  • Chiara Failla

  • Giorgio Gugliotta

  • Giovanni Pioggia

  • Flavia Marino

  • April 17, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Technology-based interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder often claim to enhance engagement and motivation through observable indicators.

  • 2

    Observable indicators like gaze and time-on-task may primarily reflect sustained attention rather than true engagement or intrinsic motivation.

  • 3

    The literature often confuses engagement, motivation, and attention, leading to interpretative ambiguity in technology-based ASD interventions.

  • 4

    Technology may support sustained attention in ASD by providing predictable structure and sensory coherence, rather than increasing motivation.

  • 5

    Improving conceptual precision and measurement practices is essential for accurately interpreting outcomes of technology-based interventions in autism.

Original Source(s)

Engagement, motivation, or sustained attention? Rethinking the effects of technology in autism

  • by Anna Meduri, Chiara Marraffa, Gaia Roccaforte, Paola Chilà, Chiara Failla, Giorgio Gugliotta, Giovanni Pioggia, Flavia Marino

  • April 17, 2026

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