Could this help with Aspergers / Autism?

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Hi, My name is Adam and I’m a designer / inventor based in the UK.


I’m just 25 years old, and I started out as a designer of experiences for theme parks, but recently I have been developing experiences for the benefit of children (and adults) with a wide range of sensory issues, and I wondered if people here think that my latest project would be able to help those with Aspergers / Autism

Its kind of hard to explain what it does in words, so I build a small website with lots of photographs on it here: http://www.visualvoicepro.com so hopefully that gives you a better idea.

So far the software has been very successfully used in 2 centers in the UK and 1 in the USA. It fits in really well with a “sensory room” or “snoezelen” style environment.



The entire experience has been designed based on requests from parents and care-givers of people with autism, cerebral palsy, and all sorts of behavior disorders. So I am very keen to hear what anybody thinks, good or bad, any suggestion is welcome.

I think that new technology can form an exciting and interesting form of therapy.

Also, if you have any questions or suggestions or if there is anything at all that you think would be interesting, please e-mail me or get in touch via the website www.visualvoicepro.com

Thanks, and if this project isn’t helpful to you, please consider passing the link on to someone who might find it useful.
Thanks
Adam

I think that your project would be more beneficial to deaf or hard of hearing children, who are not aware of how soft or loud their voices are, since they have difficuty hearing them themselves.

By watching the visual 'reaction' on their voice they can learn to regulate the tone and pitch. Maybe different colors can create a visual distinction of the two and help them truly see their voices.

For children with Autism I have some thoughts that the flashing lights might create sensory overload. I have some problems with flashing neon lights etc. so I am not so sure. But again, I am not an expert.

Thanks for sharing your project. You are very creative!

Star

Thanks for your thoughts Star.

I am keen to know what other people think.

Actually, the lights dont really "flash" - its very gentle and relaxing.


Like this "garden" image is very organic, with fireflies softly buzzing round and things.

It is impossible to see that from the pictures and there was no further explanation or any other kind of text connected to the garden images...

Maybe a video could work better and a detailed explanation like you did for the Voice thingy???

Star

Ok, thanks. I have added some more info here and I think you are right, a video would help. The project only launched last week so I havnt had time to do much video work yet!

Thanks for your feedback star.

I HATE the neon lights/colors!! !! !!

What problem is it supposed to solve? I can't think of any autistic/AS problem it can solve.

Steve

Neon lights = bad.
I can't even be in a room with normal neon lights or low energy lamps, they cause me headache, so I guess this project is nothing for me - I'd pass out or something. No matter how "relaxing" this is supposed to be, I'm sensitive to certain frequencies of light. And FLASHING lights are even worse.
Looks like a beautiful idea for people without that kind of problem, though. And I bet it's a great experience for kids. It's just sooo NOT for people with sensory issues...

Many Autistic and a fair number of Aspergers people have seizures. The flashing lights can cause seizures. The parents of the low spectrum Autistics are not going to appreciate if you cause their kid a seizure. Flashing lights also can cause sensory overload even if it doesn't cause a seizure.

For Aspies you will interest them more if there is different textures to feel. Cute animals to play with or something that spins for them to look at . Or something shiny. You know those silver hologram stickers that are on Visa cards? I can watch those for hours. The pictures you posted look overwhelming and scary, so I would not go see it.

BTW- autistism is not a behavioral disorder and neither is Cerebral Palsy.

Adam, I appreciate what you're doing to help us out. Even though many Aspies don't want a cure or whatever, it's good that you care. Thanks.

That would be a terrible thing for an Autistic/Asperger person. But might work wonders with a deaf/hearing impared person.

Yes, and it's probably very useful for speech therapy - only NOT for people on the autistic spectrum.
But thanks for caring. I guess it's going to help someone. I can see people with hearing impairment are probably going to benefit from it.
Just be careful with Auties and neon lights.

I like the nature picture, but the lights and everything else would just weird me out.

Autistic spectrum and bright light - not good. Actually, if it was a gradual change, I could see it working on the same principle as the Asperger's phone.