Autistic Adults' Perspectives on Self-Expression and Dyadic vs. Group Interactions in AR Telepresence

Social isolation is highly prevalent among autistic adults and is associated with elevated rates of depression. Sensory sensitivities to smell, lights, and noise can make face-to-face interactions in unfamiliar environments stressful, further limiting opportunities for social engagement. Augmented Reality (AR) telepresence offers a promising alternative by enabling avatar-based social interaction that enhances social presence (the sense of being with others) while allowing users to regulate sensory input. However, little is known about how autistic adults experience engaging with others’ avatars or perceive their own avatar representation. We conducted a three-phase study with eight autistic adults to: (1) explore their preferences for self-representation through their avatars which supports feeling authentically represented during AR interactions, (2) involve them in the participatory design of dyadic and group AR activities, and (3) evaluate social presence in both contexts. Our findings highlight design considerations for AR telepresence systems that can better support the social needs and preferences of autistic adults.