Show and Tell App for iOS and Android.
Show and Tell is an interactive visual story that helps children with autism familiarize themselves with the circus experience before they go, helping alleviate some of the anxieties associated with unknown experiences. The app can be used as a springboard into exploring other live performances and arts and cultural opportunities with family and friends.
- Submitting institution
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University of Chester
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 32-18/320001
- Type
- T - Other
- DOI
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- Location
- https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/circus-starr-show-and-tell/id906662040
- Brief description of type
- Show and Tell App for iOS and Android.
- Open access status
- Out of scope for open access requirements
- Month
- -
- Year
- 2015
- URL
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
- -
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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0
- Research group(s)
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- The Show and Tell app is an interactive visual story that helps autistic children familiarize themselves with the circus before they go, helping to alleviate anxieties associated with unknown experiences. The diverse research partners forged the groundwork for a transdisciplinary approach which synthesised knowledge from Autism research and SEN technologies and applied these to the context of arts and culture.
The project proposed two main research questions: Can the principles of the Social Story, used primarily in education contexts, be translated to an arts/leisure context? Would a visual story delivered via a mobile app help autistic children feel more prepared and less anxious about attending the circus?
The project took place over 14 months. Initial app development was informed by consultation with the Autistic Society and focus groups for user-experience feedback. The app incorporated audio-visual material from Circus Starr performances including ringside and exterior locations to provide a full preview of what to expect from a trip to the circus. App design incorporated autism-friendly design principles and interactive elements for personalisation. Project participants were drawn from families in North West UK. During Circus Starr’s autumn 2014 tour, participants downloaded the app, trialed it before their visit and gave feedback on their experience via the app and through follow up questionnaires and interviews.
85% of respondents agreed that using the app helped prepare their child ‘well’ or ‘very well’ for the experience of going to the circus with the visual story providing a familiar and trusted format for reducing anxiety. 63% of respondents found the app helpful in assuaging anxiety in their child during the circus visit.
The app won the National Autistic Society’s Best New Technological Innovation Award in 2015. Circus Starr continue to update and promote the app to their audiences, and an Android version was developed in 2016.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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