Customizable, Interactive Toy Platform to Enable Motivation-Driven Cognitive and Physical Development in Children Diagnosed with Autism or Developmental Disorders

Kristina T. Johnson, Rosalind W. PicardMIT Media Lab, {ktj, picard} @media.mit.edu

To enable independently-initiated play experiences to augment learning opportunities while collect-ing quantitative measures of developmental progress.

Targeted Outcomes:•  Increased engagement•  Cognitive development•  Physical/Motor development•  Social interaction•  Psychophysiological regulation

SPRING: Smart Platform for Research, Intervention, & Neuro-developmental Growth

Built for very young children with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism, genetic disorders, compounded diagnoses)

SPRING!

Magnets•  Embedded within shapes•  No mechanical components•  Ensures task must be completed to receive reward

SPRING Base•  Houses programmable LEDs, microprocessor, smartphone, and related circuitry•  New SPRING Modules can use

same Base

Microprocessor•  Hidden in leg of Base•  Records shape placement and toy interaction•  Automates data acquisition•  Sends information to smartphone

via Bluetooth

Programmable Lights•  Enable

customizable, engaging visual stimuli

•  Can display biobehavioral feedback in

real-time (e.g., heart rate from wireless sensor)

User 1:•  Age 4y 11m•  Level 3 ASD, SPD, + rare genetic

disorder•  Profound motor difficulties•  Non-speaking

User 2:•  Age 2y 0m•  Neurotypical

SPRING Shape Sorter Module•  Embedded circuitry

tracks shape placement and signals Base to display customized response•  Future Modules will be

removable and interchangeable

Notes:•  Parent provided social praise for both

traditional & SPRING play attempts•  Session ended when child could no longer

be engaged in task, despite reasonable efforts, or at 13-minute mark

•  User 1 data video coded by hand (1 coder)•  User 2 data acquired from SPRING•  Procedure to standardize data acquisition

and analysis currently in development

With SPRING, child shows steady improvement over time

Smartphone•  Receives information from

SPRING microprocessor in Base•  Presents customized audio &

video responses•  Logs automated data of

toy interactions•  Displays learning

prompts (matching, patterns, etc.) for advanced play•  Entire SPRING

system can be controlled remotely via wifi

User ProfilesObjective

0"2"4"6"8"10"12"14"16"18"

0:00:00" 0:01:26" 0:02:53" 0:04:19" 0:05:46" 0:07:12" 0:08:38" 0:10:05" 0:11:31" 0:12:58"

Successful(Sha

pe(Placemen

ts(

Elapsed(Time((h:mm:ss)(

User(1:(SPRING(vs.(Tradi@onal(Shape(Sorter(Session"1"(SPRING)" Session"2"(SPRING)" Session"3"(TRAD)"Session"4"(SPRING)" Session"5"(TRAD)" Session"6"(SPRING)"

0"

10"

20"

30"

40"

50"

0:00:00" 0:02:53" 0:05:46" 0:08:38" 0:11:31"Successful(Sha

pe(Placemen

ts(

Elapsed(Time((h:mm:ss)(

User(2:(SPRING(Shape(Sorter(

With SPRING, child’s skills advance over time

•  SPRING reinforcement tailored to each child

Preliminary Results