The
game I would like to discuss is designed to help those with ASD learn to drive!
Imagine that… Now people with ASD are considered to be on a spectrum for a
reason and one of the reasons is the diversity of characteristics each individual
may demonstrate. Therefore, some are considered very high functioning and some
are not. However, the principal behind a virtual game is the same for all those
on the spectrum and that is to begin to acquire a skill in the virtual world
that can be transcended into the real world.
The particular game that I am referring
to in this post was created by Nilanjan Sarkar, a mechanical engineer at
Vanderbilt University. His project was published in the Journal of Transactions
on Interactive Intelligent Systems. The full article related to his project can
be read by using the link at the bottom of the post.
The game is basically designed to help
those with ASD improve their rapid reaction skills. Now, at this point no
really expects most people with ASD to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and
drive it through town because even though most towns are not exactly “Manhattan”
they are still filled with uncertainty and seemingly endless distractions that
demand immediate reaction that is fairly accurate and filled with proper
judgment.
However, in a virtual world there isn’t
anything in the real world that can be damaged but the learning and emotional
response can be made similar to real life situations. Therefore, the virtual
game becomes the starting point or the platform for future learning. Sakar
said, “His lab’s games are only part of
the equation, but potentially an important start.”
The article mentions a young man from Nashville
named Sam. Sam played the game for approximately a year or so and is now taking
drivers education. Sam is going to begin the transition process of merging the virtual
with the actual…
Reference:
http://delivery.acm.org/10.1145/2900000/2892636/a3-wade.pdf?ip=173.62.18.137&id=2892636&acc=CHORUS&key=4D4702B0C3E38B35%2E4D4702B0C3E38B35%2E4D4702B0C3E38B35%2E6D218144511F3437&CFID=918538308&CFTOKEN=74618297&__acm__=1491012721_cd78178e328c9367b98f9e0996779a62
Joseph,
ReplyDeleteWOW! This simulation sounds like an amazingly wonderful resource. I love how this simulation is helping people with ASD transition into adult life by teaching them how to drive. That is one thing that I feel many of us take for granted is the ability to go wherever, whenever. I live and teach in a rural town and a bus shuttle is not available to the people of our community. So our students that are ASD have to rely on someone else to transport them. I think this simulation brings a sense of independence to these teens that will eventually be living in the adult world. GREAT FIND!