New technology could aid social interaction in autism

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Interactive computer-generated characters are helping children with autism to improve their social skills and learn to interact better with people.

While many parents fear the incursions of video games and related activity into children’s leisure and learning, scientists at Heriot-Watt University are using similar virtual environments to connect with children with autism. An innovative eye-tracking technology has now created real time experience of interaction between a child and a computerised character, which allows a child with autism to understand how visual signals aid understanding.

Dr Thusha Rajendran of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh has been working with colleagues from the University of Strathclyde on eye tracking systems that can read where a child’s eyes go and trigger the computerised character to follow the child’s gaze. This gives the impression that the character is really responding to where you look. The hope is one day to create a virtual character who will always respond to the child with autism, encouraging the kind of social interaction that is often very difficult for these children.

“Earlier studies have found that children with autism can use our interactive systems, always with the help of a carer or teacher, to help the child concentrate better and crucially learn the basics of social interaction”, says Dr Rajendran. “Our work ties in to the broader debate about children and technology by showing how it can benefit people who are currently excluded from mainstream society.”
The team is now undertaking practical research in a school environment working with New Struan School in Alloa. Eventually, they hope their technology will be commonplace equipment in the classroom. It is part of what Dr Rajendran calls “welfare technology”, a concept that has been developed in countries such as Denmark to enhance the lives of those with disabilities.

SEN News Team
Author: SEN News Team

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1 COMMENT

  1. I would be interested in seeing more of this work? Is there a place I can view more of what you have done so far?

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