Evaluating a tablet application and differential reinforcement to increase eye contact in children with autism.

Three preschoolers with autism took part. All had almost zero eye contact.

The team tried two things. First, a tablet game that asked for eyes on the screen. Second, praise and a toy when the child looked at the adult’s eyes.

Each child got both treatments in an alternating pattern. The researchers counted every eye contact during 10-minute play sessions.

The tablet game alone did nothing. Eye contact stayed near zero.

When praise and the toy were added, eye contact jumped for every child. Gains stayed high even when the reward was later thinned.

Hong et al. (2017) looked at 36 tablet studies and found big effects for video modeling and AAC. Those apps work because they teach a new skill. The eye-contact app in Tricia et al. only reminded kids to look, so it failed. Same tool, different job.

Macpherson et al. (2015) also used an iPad, but they showed short praise videos right before kickball. Compliments to peers shot up. Their video gave a clear model; Tricia’s game did not. Again, content beats hardware.

Pé rez-Fuster et al. (2022) moved past tablets and used augmented reality to teach joint attention. All six kids improved. The pattern is clear: tech can help, but only when it clearly shows what to do and why it matters.

Skip eye-contact apps. Instead, give immediate praise or a small toy the moment eyes meet your eyes. Start in a quiet room, then practice during snack, story, and playground time. You will see faster gains with no extra gear to charge.