Research

Current Research interests:

Are in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (also called Autism Spectrum Conditions), and social engagement through shareable interface technology.

Social engagement for children with Autism can be enhanced through the addition of computerised technology to construction toys and toy figures. Interaction with these types of objects - called tangible user intefaces - appears to be more interesting and motivates children with autism to be less isolated and react to other people in their environment more than they would normally.

Thesis Work - 'Tangible User Interfaces and Social Engagement in Autism'

1. I have worked  in collaboration with Hayes Raffles  (formerly Massachusettes Insitiute of Technology, now Nokia Research, CA): http://www.hayesraffle.com/ on kinetic memory within a tangible manipulative called Topobo (2008)

2. I have also carried out exploratory work on the Nintendo Wii to assess its accessibility for children with Autism (2009)

3. This year I have mostly been investigating the use of an Augmented Toy Environment (the Augmented Knights Castle) developed by Steve Hinske at ETH Zurich, to see if more social play occurs within a tangible interactive toy environment. More information can be obtained from:http://www.vs.inf.ethz.ch/res/show.html?what=akc (2009)

4. My next piece of work looks like it will be on the Reactable: http://www.reactable.com/  which crosses the tangible, virtual divide with an interactive table top (2010)

Research Location:

My research takes place at the briliant St Anthony's school in Chichester: 

http://www.st-anthonys.w-sussex.sch.uk/ 

I am also interested in intervention, treatments and therapies for those with Autism, and am keen to develop work on the Japanese Daily Life Therapy approach to the Education of Autistic children developed by Kiyo Kitahara. This method uses physical education to enhance good habits, increase levels of serotonin and decrease problematic behaviours.

http://www.musashino-higashi.org/english.htm