The goal of the project is development and verification of the system using the latest technologies which will enable objective assessment during diagnosing and treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
This system is the first in the world to use both multimedia techniques and psychophysiological measurements (eye tracking, EDA/GSR) at the same time. They support diagnosing young children, giving them a chance for normal life in the future.
Early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders is a great challenge. Establishing a relationship with a little child with communication problems arising from various reasons is difficult, which may lead to wrong diagnosis.
On the other hand, preview and analysis of the way in which a child gets familiar with the content conveyed by means of a specially prepared play on the screen, may help in objectification of the assessment of their method of processing information. The assessment of the change in emotional involvement helps to understand increasing stress or joy, which will not be expressed through facial expressions or a verbal message.
Additional applications of stimulation extends therapeutic possibilities in terms of duration and achieved results.
The main task of the project is creation and evaluation of SENSEAS system.
SENSEAS utilises 3 technologies which have not been used in everyday practice, but which have been commonly applied by researchers.
Eye tracking is a very precise and measurable method, thanks to which it is possible to examine the way in which a child looks at presented stimuli – films and fairy tales prepared specially for the purposes of the project. Thanks to simple games utilising visual interactions, one can measure the child’s behaviour and visual attention in a non-invasive way. It can be also done objectively – numerically – which gives the possibility of comparison of the results, for example, for a given child in time.
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) or Electrodermal Activity (EDA), measured using a device resembling a domino tile, help in detecting and registering a change in emotional engagement. It allows deeper understanding of a child’s psychology and elements which make them become negatively tense at the stage of emergence of the feeling of anxiety which may not be visible from the outside. Positive reactions may be detected and used to build friendly atmosphere and comfortable therapeutic conditions.
Brain stimulation may be compared to a warm-up before physical exercises. Stimulating the brain in an appropriately prepared and carried out way increases its plasticity and the possibility of creating new neuronal paths and connections.
The project implemented together with SYNAPSIS Foundation and Media Bridge company.
RPMA.01.02.00-14-6239/16 „Multimodal System for Functional Diagnostics and Support of Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” project is implemented within the framework of Activity 1.2 Research and Developmental Activity of enterprises of the Regional Operational Programme of Masovian Voivodeship 2014-2020.
