Effect of “let’s face it” computer game on improving face recognition skills in patients with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Background: Autism is a complex social-relations type developmental disorder that its main cause is unknown. Complete inability to recognize faces is one of the serious problems in these patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of “Let’s Face It” (LFI) educational software in improving face cognitive skills in children with autism. Methods: 33 patients with autism, including 17 case in intervention and 16 in control groups, were studied. After obtaining the consent from the parents, the intervention group underwent “Let’s Face It” training program for 20 hours and both the groups received the training programs consistent with autistic centers. At the end, both the groups were tested using “Let’s Face It” application and the results were compared using t test and analysis of covariances. Findings: Most of the studied areas, the expressed emotional states (tap link) (P = 0.003), the identity of the parts (monkey links) (P = 0.003), the immediate memory for faces (zebra link) (P = 0.032), the face-latency mode (rhinoceros link) (P = 0.015) and the size of face (stork link) (P = 0.043) significantly increased in the intervention group. However, There was not any significant change in any of the the studied areasin the control group (P > 0.050). According to “Let’s Face It” software, only the face-latency mode (rhinoceros link) was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study indicated that the use of educational software such as “Let’s Face It” can be effective in education of patients with autism and face recognition; this can lead to improve the treatment of these patients. © 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.