Bit the Spectrum’s Post

🔴 Understanding and Embracing #Neurodiversity in #Children: A Path to Better Support and Therapy 🔴 Can #immersive #technology play a role in enhancing education for neurodivergent children? In India, about 1 in 100 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting the need to address the unique requirements of neurodivergent children. In today's digital age, kids face different challenges than previous generations. The lack of outdoor play and physical activity impacts their physical and social growth. For instance, I heard a funny yet worrying story about four-year-olds struggling to climb stairs because they were so used to escalators. This shows the need for balanced development opportunities that include both technology and physical activity. What i have learned over the course of time is that acceptance and tailored therapy are crucial. Early intervention can significantly boost neurodivergent children's skills and confidence. We have came across studies and research that show early help greatly improves development, and parents play a key role. By understanding their child's unique needs and seeking appropriate therapies, parents can create a nurturing environment. Acquired autism and other neurological disorders like #ADHD and #dyslexia also need special attention. In India, awareness and resources for these conditions are growing but still limited. Access to proper therapies and support systems can make a big difference. Therapies should be individualized, focusing on the child's strengths and growth areas. Understanding their world and providing the right tools fosters success. Collaboration between parents and therapists builds a support system that encourages progress and resilience. In this space, we at  Custom Technologies are conducting an #impact #study on the use of immersive technology in education especially with regard to the neurodivergent kids. We believe innovative solutions can transform learning experiences, making education more engaging and effective. These tools can be customized to each child's needs, making learning both enjoyable and impactful. Immersive technology can also bridge the gap between home and school, providing consistent and supportive #learning experiences. This approach not only meets educational needs but also helps develop essential life skills. Through acceptance, tailored therapy, and innovative educational tools, we can significantly improve the lives of neurodivergent children. As we move forward, the question remains: How can we best integrate immersive technology into education to unlock the full potential of neurodivergent children? #techforgood #AR #VR

📢💡🍎 Calling All Innovators in Education: The Future of Learning is Here with Ask Miss JessVR! We're bursting with excitement to unveil Ask Miss JessVR, a groundbreaking VR experience that shatters the boundaries of traditional learning! Imagine this: a platform where educators, parents, and autism advocates can connect with a virtual Miss Jess, an AI replica of the renowned expert herself. But that's not all! Ask Miss JessVR goes beyond one-on-one interactions. We're creating a space for dynamic collaborations, featuring AI characters representing Autism Partnership Organizations and individuals. Here's what makes Ask Miss JessVR a partnership powerhouse: 📣Unprecedented Reach: Expand your organization's reach and connect with a wider audience seeking guidance and support. 🫶Interactive Learning: Contribute to a revolutionary learning platform that fosters deeper engagement and knowledge retention. 🌎Collaborative Impact: Work alongside Miss Jess and other leading experts to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all. We're looking for visionary partners who share our passion for: 🧠Special Education: Empowering educators with the tools and support they need to create exceptional learning experiences. 🩷Parenting: Providing parents with personalized advice and resources to navigate the joys and challenges of raising children. 🧩Autism Advocacy: Building a platform that fosters understanding, acceptance, and connection within the autism community. The possibilities are endless! Join us in shaping the future of learning with Ask Miss JessVR. AskMissJessVR is more than a VR experience; it's a catalyst for innovation. Are you ready to be part of the revolution? #VR #Education #SpecialEducation #Parenting #Autism #AI #VRlearning #Collaboration #Partnership #FutureofLearning #Inclusion #Neurodiversity #PTDS #Experts #AskTheExpert #AutismPartnership #innovationineducation William S. Hesse, Ph.D. Cheri Daniels Joshua Tyler Berglan Meni Teknikio SOLOMON OGUNSANYA @

At WonderTree, we believe that creating impactful educational tools requires more than just technology; it demands deep research and collaboration with those who know the needs best. Our WonderGames are uniquely developed through extensive research and direct conversations with children of determination, their parents, educators, and therapists. This collaborative approach ensures our AR and VR games are not only engaging and fun but also highly effective in fostering social, emotional, cognitive, and motor skills. By gamifying traditional therapeutic and educational exercises, WonderGames provide an inclusive, interactive, and tailored learning experience. Our games are designed to support children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and learning difficulties, making skill development both accessible and enjoyable. With feedback from an advisory board of medical experts and a community of dedicated users, we continuously refine our games to ensure they meet the highest standards of efficacy and inclusivity. Teachers, schools, therapists, and medical professionals worldwide trust WonderGames to support their work in special education. Discover how WonderGames are revolutionizing special education and making a positive impact on children’s lives. Learn more at WonderTree.co. . . . . #EdTech #SpecialEducation #AR #VR #WonderTree #InclusiveEducation #Innovation #SkillDevelopment #AutismAwareness #ADHD #CerebralPalsy #DownSyndrome #LearningDisabilities

⭐  “10 out of 10!” #VR4Kids Program Recipient update: Condition: #ADHD #VRHardware: #Meta Quest 2, generously made possible by Invincikids #DeviceManagement Platform: ManageXR Parent #Feedback: 💟 “Joe liked to look at the sea creatures and breathe bubbles. It made him happy and calm.” Software utilized: Invincikids #UnderseaOB. Joe rated the session 10 out of 10. Session length: 30 minutes. 💟 "Joe likes the repetitive, fast-pace of this game with “cool music” to have fun and relax. He always strives to reach first place.” Software utilized: Invincikids #SpaceBurgers. Joe rated the session 10 out of 10. Length of session: 45 min.   Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc. #VR4Kids Program, powered by XR Impact Network Join us: www.xrimpactnetwork.com Follow us: XR Impact Network #VRpatientstories #vrforgood #itsagoodday Maggie Varney Jennifer Fisher André N. Bollaert Stanford Chariot Program VR•XR•AI Beth Savoldelli

Software development is about meeting the needs of all users, including those with diverse #cognitive abilities like ADHD. But understanding these unique needs can be challenging for developers who may not share the same experiences. That's why we explored using virtual reality (#VR) to bridge this gap. In our study, we created a VR prototype set in a virtual gym to simulate the experience of users with ADHD using a fitness app. Participants were tasked with completing activities while facing distractions similar to those experienced by individuals with ADHD. The results were eye-opening. By immersing ourselves in the perspective of ADHD users, we gained a deeper understanding of their challenges and how software designed without consideration for their needs can fall short. This insight led to improved requirements for our fitness app, ensuring it better caters to the diverse needs of all users. By embracing tools like VR for human-centric requirements elicitation, we can create software that truly empowers and includes everyone, regardless of cognitive differences. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gppUVHyZ Monash Information Technology, John Grundy, Nicholas Chong, Emmanuel Chu, Adrian Nadonza, Sienna Marie Rodriguez, Sothearith Tith, Jin Shan, Yi Wang, Ben Cheng, Thuong Hoang

🎉 Exciting News! My research from last summer with the NSF REU and HiPE Lab at TXST, "Development of an Augmented Reality Handwashing Tool for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," has been published in the 2024 IEEE 14th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC). This study introduces an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) tool designed specifically to enhance handwashing practices among children with ASD. Leveraging the Microsoft HoloLens2, I've created an engaging, interactive learning experience aimed at overcoming the challenges these children face with traditional handwashing methods. My findings reveal significant improvements in hand hygiene and positive feedback from both participants and their caregivers. This project not only showcases the potential of AR in special education and therapy but also opens up new avenues for research in technology-assisted learning for individuals with ASD. I'm excited about the future developments and the broader impact this could have on enhancing life skills for children with ASD. A huge thank you to my dedicated team, Damian Valles, PhD 🦉Ting Liu Rachel Koldenhoven Rolfe, PhD, ATC and everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. Your hard work and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children with autism are truly inspiring. Read more about our findings and the future direction of this research https://lnkd.in/g6kq_-WY. #AugmentedReality #AutismSpectrumDisorder #Handwashing #InnovativeLearning #IEEE #CCWC2024 #ResearchImpact

Another in my series highlighting vMed2024 presenters! OK, I can admit that I am a huge fan of Skip Rizzo! He’s one of the most down-to-earth scientists who I have met and simply put he is a trailblazer! In this paper, Skip and his colleagues detail the application of #virtualreality #VR as a tool for #neurocognitive evaluation, specifically in #attention process assessment, an area of relevance for informing the diagnosis of childhood health conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder #ADHD. The data represent attention performance results from a large sample of neurotypical male and female children tested on a visual continuous performance task, administered within VR. Results indicate systematic improvements on most metrics across the age span, and sex differences are noted on key variables thought to reflect differential measures of hyperactivity and inattention in children with ADHD. Results support VR technology as a safe and viable option for testing attention processes in children, under stimulus conditions that closely mimic ecologically relevant challenges found in everyday life. #learning

Happy World Autism Awareness Day! At VISR we celebrate all neurodiversity and start the celebration of Autism Acceptance Week from the 2nd of April until the 8th of April. During this week, we take the opportunity to raise awareness about autism and emphasise the need for inclusivity in the workplace. Autistic people have many strengths that can be an asset to any workplace. They bring unique perspectives, skills, and talents that can help us innovate and create better solutions. That's why we strive to create a workplace that values neurodiversity, where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. Only 26% of Autistic pupils are happy in school, and only 29% of Autistic people continue into employment*. At VISR we seek to change this, helping people develop critical soft skills through safe and inclusive immersive environments. Allowing schools to create engaging and sensory-friendly immersive experiences for their students, tailored to their needs. *Data from https://lnkd.in/e4CKYtnz #Autism #autistic #autismawarenessday #autismacceptence #VR #VirtualReality #EdTech #education #SEND #neurodivergent

🚀 Welcome to ASDGame! 🚀 We are thrilled to introduce our innovative startup dedicated to transforming autism diagnosis and personalized education through cutting-edge technology. At ASDGame, our mission is to make autism diagnosis more accessible and engaging for children. Our platform combines artificial intelligence and gamification to provide precise diagnostic support and tailored educational resources. 🌟 What We Do: AI-Powered Autism Diagnosis: Utilizing advanced algorithms to assist in early and accurate diagnosis. Personalized Educational Tools: Offering custom learning experiences designed to support each child’s unique needs. Innovative Gamification: Creating engaging, game-based solutions that make the diagnostic process more approachable and less stressful. Our Vision: We aim to revolutionize the way autism is diagnosed and supported, providing valuable tools for families and professionals while enhancing educational outcomes. Stay tuned for updates on our progress, insights into our technology, and opportunities to connect with us. We are excited about the journey ahead and invite you to follow our page to be a part of our innovative mission. #Innovation #HealthTech #EdTech #AutismSupport #AI #GameBasedLearning

Dr. Einar Ingvarsson, VIA’s Director of Training and Research, recently presented his ongoing study of virtual reality (VR) assisted interventions at the annual conference of the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis, as well as the Icelandic Behavior Analysis conference. VR-assisted interventions hold great promise for facilitating interventions for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. VR allows for a convenient and reliable presentation of a multitude of realistic learning scenarios that can be adapted to individual needs and preferences. Using simulations, this technology helps individuals manage rare or potentially unsafe situations, such as airport security or crossing a busy street. These situations can be presented repeatedly and reliably with minimal risk or inconvenience. A key issue in VR-assisted intervention and education is whether the skills that are learned in the simulated environment translate to the real world. To address that question, VIA has partnered with Floreo (floreovr.com), a leading provider of virtual therapy for neurodiverse individuals. VIA staff have implemented programs focusing on peer social skills in a simulated environment, measuring generalization of the skills to situations involving live peers. These skills include greetings, participating in a conversation, and inviting peers to join a group. Preliminary results suggest that young children with ASD can acquire social skills with simulated peers, and that the skills generalize to live peers with minimal procedural modifications (e.g., reminders or quick practice in the real world).