AR-Based Embodied Avatar Assistance for Nonspeaking Autistic People? Design and Feasibility Study

Many nonspeaking autistic individuals rely on Communication and Regulation Partners (CRPs) to develop spelling-based communication using physical letterboards, but this support is often geographically inaccessible. We developed a remote presence system using Augmented Reality (AR) to enable immersive, collaborative spelling instruction. The system features holographic letterboards and fully embodied avatars with real-time head and hand tracking, allowing remote interaction between students and CRPs. In a study with 18 nonspeaking autistic participants, 15 (83%) successfully completed avatar-supported sessions. Interaction was higher, and participants reported a preference for the avatar condition over voice-only support. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of avatar-based AR telepresence for remote communication training. The system provides a demonstration of AR-supported interaction designed with nonspeaking autistic individuals—an underrepresented group in HCI—and offers design insights for inclusive telepresence technologies that address geographic and accessibility barriers.