Autism treatment: A Kinect-based game

Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 20 per 1,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism. Autism centers throughout the country help treat and train these children to have normal lives in the lifetimes.  However, only small amount of children have the privilege to enter these facilities. The average number accepted to each facility ranges from 8 to 50 children per facility per year. The purpose of this study is to develop a training game to help autistic children even if they are not fortunate enough to receive treatments at the autism centers.

Objectives

• To treat autistic children by improving their basic motor skills through fun games.

• Give access to treatment for autism for less fortunate children that are not able to receive treatment at an autism center.

Methods

We create a Kinect-based PC imitation training game to help children with autism. We chose the Kinect to allow the children to imitate what is presented in the game to help improve their motor skills. The children are asked to raise and wave their hands to complete their motor training objectives while having fun at the same time. The game objectives range from an elementary training such as simply raising hands to sorting items which requires critical thinking skills.

Conclusions

The prototype game has been created and tested at a local autism center. It is continually being improved and tested to enhance its immersion and training factors.  Our initial tests show potentials to provide a new prospective treatment for the children with autism.