An IMI Hosted Project

MOTIVATION & OBJECTIVES

Recently, more media attention has been drawn on the increase of autism with the international prevalence rate 0.6% applied across cultures. Several studies show dolphin-assisted-therapy (DAT) has positive effect to children-with-autism in terms of anxiety/stress relief, communication/learning improvement, and cognitive-performance/self-confidence increase. The intelligence and spontaneous play behavior of dolphins could be the distinguishing features helping enhance the therapeutic value of DAT. While pink dolphins is a species endangered, there exist risks in putting weak children in water for therapy and in contact with the strong animals even though they are well trained.

 

We propose to study virtual pink dolphins assisted therapy (VPDAT) for children-with-autism.  We are interested in the innovative design/development of a virtual dolphinarium to assist children-with-autism in their learning/communication. Instead of emulating swimming with dolphins, we focus on the virtual dolphin interaction between virtual dolphins and children-with-autism. Emphasis will be placed on the pedagogical investigation of autism special education. In particular, children-with-autism will have chance to play as dolphin trainers through gesture-based interaction to help them establish joint attention and to learn communication. Eventually, we hope the project will offer each and every child-with-autism in the world a low cost, safe, convenient and fun way to improve their learning/communication.