TableIT+-+Assistive+Technology+Device+for+Children+With+Autism

=Introduction= toc

// I've created a product called TableIT, which is an assistive technology device to help individuals with Autism. It's targeted mainly for young kids, 3- 8 years, and helps them create connections and references with everyday objects in their environment. It is a simple tactile media interface that can provide information, knowledge, and entertainment in an intuitive manner. The main goal of the product is to create a sense of self-reliance in users in managing some of their daily activities. //


 * Introductory Video**

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Development of this product would require a understanding of C# and RFID technology. Also, understanding the framework and libraries present with the particular RFID Reader used would be important(Robotics Connection). Also, a understanding of Autism and the related symptoms would be beneficial. The following link explains RFID technology in great detail : []
 * Knowledge Requirements**

=Overview=

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This product is designed to be a simple tactile media interface as a result it is very simple and bare bones. The reason for this is, the less complicated the surface is, the easier it will be for the Autistic child to interact with it. The only tools currently used in this device are a RFID reader, a PC with Visual Studios, and various RFID tags.===== This product is an assistive technology device used to help those with a variety of mental illnesses and disabilities. The product reinforces learning, simplifies interaction, and encourages self-reliance. As of now, Autism is the main ventures into which this product can be used.  This product is specifically designed to target the major symptoms of Autism. First off it tackles the issue of misinterpreting social context. This product uses various RFID tags with various emotions written on it ( angry, happy, sad, fear,etc.,.), in conjunction with the in-built display. The screen will flash various faces expressing emotions, and the child would simply place the appropriate RFID tag that corresponds with that emotion on the table.  Secondly, it also targets speech and language as a whole. One of the symptoms of Autism is tantrums. Research shows that there tantrums are not the same as a 4 year old throwing a tantrum because he doesn't get what he wants, autistic children throw tantrums because they can’t //communicate // what they want. The way that this has been approached previously is to have flashcards with an image and text of the object. This product takes that same concept and applies it in a different way. Not only would the screen display the image, but it would also speak it out loud. The product would also require the child to retrieve the correct object and place it on the table. So the child would be learn that the item placed on the table is a cell phone visually, through audio, and kinesthetically.

// Module Difficulty : // The development of this product should be quite simple, understanding the RFID framework and libraries present does take some time, apart from that it is very easy to pick up and develop once installed.
 * Required Labs:** None.

=Expectations=


 * __Tools/Machines Used__**

 This product is very minimalistic and simple to construct. All it requires is a small form factor computer, a RFID reader, and an assortment of RFID tags. Furthermore, it would need the basic version of the software to manage all the interactions running on the computer. As of now, this product is able to retrieve information from Google calendars, display pictures retrieved from Picasa, identify a CD and play the corresponding album, identify any toy or object by RFID tag, and play a audio book equivalent of a physical book placed on the table.

=Inspiring Ideas and Applications=


 * __Improvements__**

--Basic-- Collection of flashcards - right now Autistic children are being taught vocabulary through purchased or homemade flashcards. This is only using their visual sense. This product needs a database of flashcards made by other parents and families or created as part of the product that not only display an image but says it out loud as well. The next educational level, once they learn the product, would be retrieve the product and place it on the table. At that point it would be learnt through the 3 major types of learning.

Emotion Quizzing – I've discussed with various people in the Autistic community and one recommendation that they’ve had in common was “Emotion Quizzing”. The idea is to help the child recognize various emotions by simply flashing expressions on the screen and the child would place the corresponding RFID tag on the table ( the RFID tag would have words like happy, sad, angry printed on it). I have this working with images downloaded from Google Images. However, a lot of these images are copy written and for this to be released in public I would need a culmination of not copyrighted emotion expressions across all age groups. One thing to add here would be to employ the same sign language recognition technology mentioned above and make it also understand eye contact. The goal here is to make this table and the interaction between the child and the table as realistic as possible. As a result, when we show the child a person’s face, society dictates that eye contact is met. Emotion Quizzing – I’ve discussed with various people in the Autistic community and one recommendation that they’ve had in common was “Emotion Quizzing”. The idea is to help the child recognize various emotions by simply flashing expressions on the screen and the child would place the corresponding RFID tag on the table ( the RFID tag would have words like happy, sad, angry printed on it). I have this working with images downloaded from Google Images. However, a lot of these images are copy written and for this to be released in public I would need a culmination of not copyrighted emotion expressions across all age groups. One thing to add here would be to employ the same sign language recognition technology mentioned above and make it also understand eye contact. The goal here is to make this table and the interaction between the child and the table as realistic as possible. As a result, when we show the child a person’s face, society dictates that eye contact is met.

--Intermediate-- Full incorporation with the ABA program – the ABA program is the most widely used process to treat Autism. It deals with various different aspects of Autism and yields the highest success rate. If there would be a way to incorporate this program into the product so the child and caretaker can replay and reinforce concepts on their own time, regardless of the presence of the therapist, it would be very beneficial.

--Expert-- Sign Language Integration – there are some children who even after a decade of therapy still have trouble speaking and as a result communicating. At this point, they are usually taught sign language. Depending on the resource, it states that some children have a better ability to understand and communicate with sign language than verbal communication. This would be a complex integration perhaps best done in later stages and after the research confirms the benefit.

Misc. Treat system – One weakness of this product is the artificial aspect. One major aspect of the ABA program is to offer positive encouragement right after the task is executed. Right now it is simply playing a video or displaying something cool and exciting on the screen. Seeing as I’m not a professional and haven’t yet had the chance to test this in public, I don’t know if seeing something on the display would be good enough. As a result, if a alternative way was found to convey positive encouragement it would make this product much more beneficial to the child and caretaker.

ABA and other alternatives: There are more curriculums for Autism than just ABA. Ultimately, I would like this product to offer an option for the parent and caretaker to provide a specific curriculum for the child, based off of their needs.

=Resources=

// This is a section where you can post external resources related to the module. This may be online discussion boards or physical locations like the maker bench. Store and website information that module related equipment and tools can be purchased can also be found in this section. // RFID Reader and Tags Company : []

Autism Information: []

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