Rizzo, Alberto, Schutt, Stefan and Linegar, Dale (2012) Imagine that: Creating a 'third space' for young people with high functioning autism through the use of technology in a social setting. In: OzCHI '12 Proceedings of the 24th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference. Farrell, Vivienne, Farrell, Graham, Chua, Caslon, Huang, Weidong, Vasa, Raj and Woodward, Clinton, eds. ACM, New York, New York, pp. 513-516.

Abstract

In this paper we describe the knowledge building process involved in creating The Lab, a technology-enabled ‘learning community’ of young people with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA), and their parents. We use Vygotsky’s (1978) culturalhistorical approach to analyse social engagement through material, individual, and social interactions and the emergence of a ‘third space’ (Gutierrez, 1999 & 2008) as a particular kind of ‘zone of proximal development’ in developing an effective learning environment. We speculate on the centrality of the sensory and perceptual differences of AS and HFA people as contributing to a better understanding of the role of embodied imagination and creativity as essential aspects of their ‘difference’ and their distinct patterns of social and cultural relations.

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