Towards Developing A Mobile-Based Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (mCARE) in low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) Like Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper describes a mobile-based care system (mCARE), which is a novel tool to routinely and systematically collect behavior and developmental parameter children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Bangladesh. It is the first clinical decision support system for the ASD children in LMICs that has been proved efficient to assist them in data-driven decision making by using a remote Experience Sampling Method (ESM). Unlike other ESM, instead of taking a report from patients, mCARE introduce caregivers as the reporter. mCARE has deployed Value Sensitive Design (VSD) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in its design process as well as Fogg's Behavior Model (FBM) to assist caregivers in developing and sustain the habit of logging data regularly over a long period. mCARE has accumulated its goal by implementing three tools: mCARE-APP, mCARE-SMS, and mCARE-DMP. The successful completion of the project using this mCARE can ensure the overall quality of care (QoC) of ASD in LMICs, including Bangladesh. The usability and cost-benefit analysis have also shown the potential of mCARE to be scaled to serve a large population in Bangladesh and beyond.