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Kaspar
Summary
Play Experience by Assistive Technology for play
Devices, services & contexts for play with children with disabilities
Name of Play Experience by AT
Kaspar
Type of project
Intervention
Finished research project
Ongoing research project
Summary
(~150 words: target group, aims, kind of activities, Play Experience by AT (devices, services and contexts) used, play experiences and results)
KASPAR, a research project at TRACKS (autism), a specialist nursery for children aged between two and six who have complex social and communication disorders using KASPAR a humanoid robot. This research contributes to a bigger research project at the University of Hertfordshire. KASPAR acts as a social mediator encouraging children to interact and communicate with adults and other children. He is able to engage in a range of interactive play situations, such as turn-taking or shared eye-gaze activities. He demonstrates a range of simplified expressions without the complexities of a real human face. At present TRACKS are collecting observations of children’s interactions with KASPAR and monitor progress using a World Health Organisation document adapted to accommodate the Early Years Foundation Stage outcomes. Short video clips and photographs along with descriptive text of children’s interactions provide evidence to support children’s development particularly that which can be attributed directly to KASPAR.
Context
The context of use
(home, school, rehab center or other environments)
TRACKS (autism) is a specialist pre-school for children with social communication difficulties.Children attend, often alongside a mainstream placement, for 2 or 3, three and a half hour, sessions each week . Adults work from the child's interests and motivations to encourage shared play with peers. Every opportunity is taken to develop both social and communication skills appropriate to the child's developmental age. TRACKS has a high child:staff ratio with a maximum of 10 children each session and a minimum of 5 adults.
Type of Play
Type of play in this play system
LUDI Classification of types of play
Cognitive Dimension
Practice
Symbolic
Constructive
Rule play (including videogames)
Social Dimension
Solitary
Parallel
Associative
Cooperative
Objectives
Objectives related to play according to ICF-CY
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Children & Youth Version (ICF-CY)
Play for the sake of play
Major life areas - d880 engagement in play
d8800 solitary play
d8801 onlooker play
d8802 parallel play
d8803 shared cooperative play
d8808 engagement in play, other specified
d8809 engagement in play, unspecified
Community social and civic life - d920 recreation and leisure time
d9200 play
Play-like activities
Therapeutic and educational objectives
b1 Mental functions
b2 Sensory functions and pain
b3 Voice and speech functions
b4 Functions of cardiovascular, hematological, immunological and respiratory systems
b5 Functions of digestive, metabolic and endocrine systems
b7 Neuromusculoskeletal and movement related functions
d1 Learning and applying knowledge (learning through symbolic play, learning through pretend play)
d2 General tasks and demands
d3 Communication
d4 Mobility
d7 Interpersonal interactions and relationships
Participant
Participant(s)
Number
1-5
5-10
10-20
>20
Chronological Age
0-3 years
3-6 years
6-12 years
12-18 years
Development Age
0-3 years
3-6 years
6-12 years
12-18 years
LUDI Categories of disabilities
Mental/intellectual impairments:
mild
moderate
severe
profound
Hearing impairments
Partially hearing impaired
Deaf
Visual impairments
Partially sighted
Blind
Communication disorders (speech and language disorders)
Physical impairments
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Multiple disabilities
Explanation
Explanation on the use of low-tech, high-tech devices, services or contexts
Explanation
No instruction, self-discovery of the participant/subject
Verbal instruction, language and communication fitting to chronological age
Verbal instruction, language and communication is adapted
Visual and/or verbal instruction with AAC (Aumentative and Alternative Communication)
Visual instruction with written language
Visual instruction with pictures or drawings
Modeling by therapist/researcher
Hand over hand: therapist/researcher leads the actions of the participant
Prompting: therapist/researcher touches the participant as a key for further actions
Guided discovery: therapist/researcher coaches the participant so s/he discovers how to use the assistive technology
Modeling by peer
Visual instruction by peer
Verbal instruction by peer
Involvement
Adult: therapist/educator/researcher
Parent or significant others
Peer with disabilities
Peer without disabilities
Role
Non-participatory observer
Participatory observer
Providing instruction
After the instruction, providing supervision during play
Evaluation
Evaluation of objectives and outcome measures
Description of outcome measure(s)
Observation by professional/researcher providing the play experience
Observation by other professional/researcher
Video analysis
Feedback from client/parents/professionals
(validated and reliable) outcome measures like tests, self-reports of client/system, questionnaires
Information about availability of outcome measure: publisher, website, contact person
The project is on going. Please contact: nancj10@hotmail.com, for further information regarding evaluation.
Achievements
Summary of achieved effects
Achievement- Improved face to face contact children are beginning to initiate positive social interaction with peers improved eye contact children are beginning to share experiences with adults children are beginning to develop friendships and play companions Children are able to take turns in play with KASPAR
References
References to the intervention or research project
Contact Person
Nan Cannon Jones - nancj10@hotmail.com
Website
http://www.herts.ac.uk/kaspar
Keywords
Keywords
Example: Robots, Virtual Games, Mobile Phone, Public Playground, Adapted Toys
Robot, play, communication, social interaction,
Play Systems with similar keywords
Applications-Autisme
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Experiences in adapting toys in youtube Ceapat channel
HugBag – literally embracing soundscapes
KASPAR the Social robot
Kinect-Sign
Kinetic Sand
Lisling 3D
LivelyButton
M4ALL Kinect games
MaLIPWrite
MalleablePillow – kneading light
Nebula - Interactive wall of light
OT's with Ipad and tablet play Apps for children with disabilities
S’n‘S (Sound and sensors)
The Junior Detective Training Program
The Transporters
TSARA Application, French tools
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