Promoting reciprocal conversations in children with autism using text‐message prompting

Researchers gave three children with autism an Apple Watch.

The watch sent short text scripts like “Ask what they like to eat.”

Adults then waited to see if the child started or answered a conversation.

They counted how many times each child spoke first or replied.

Two children began way more conversations after the texts popped up.

The third child did not start more talks, but kept back-and-forth going longer.

All three kids had more total exchanges when the watch buzzed with hints.

Lopez et al. (2020) tried the same watch trick one year earlier.

They only looked at first hellos, not full talks.

Canestaro added the reply part, so the idea now covers whole chats.

Ayvazo et al. (2024) later swapped the watch for a daily selfie video plus self-monitoring.

Their teens also spoke more, showing the goal can be hit with or without a watch.

Ewing et al. (2002) used a vibrating pager instead of a watch.

That old buzzer raised first words too, proving simple tactile cues keep working as tech shrinks.

If a child can read, you can load short scripts into any smartwatch today.

Start with one line like “Ask about their favorite game.”

Send it right before recess or snack.

Track who talks first and how long the swap lasts.

No extra staff is needed once the texts are scheduled.

Try it during peer play or sibling time and watch the conversation grow.