Differential Effects of Navigational Aids on Adults with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

This study examined the differential effects of a GPS based navigational app (Waytob) displayed on a smartwatch and a paper map on the ability of individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID) to independently navigate unfamiliar walking routes. A single case alternating treatment design was used with five adults ranging in age from 26 to 45 with mild to moderate ID. Overall, all five participants made correct decisions 29.6% more often with the app. The findings of this study suggest the mobile application has potential to improve the ability for individuals with ID to independently navigate from one location to another. Future research may focus on utilizing the public transportation feature within this application to further develop navigation skills.