Improving social skills in autistic children. The speech given by Paolo Decaro at UXconference 2013.

1. A on Mars
SOCIAL COGNITION DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM
FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
Project by Paolo Decaro

2. A on Mars
“...much of the time, I feel like
an anthropologist in Mars”
Temple Grandin

3. A on Mars
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

4. A on Mars
What?
A on Mars is a system
designed to develop social cognition
skills of users affected by
autistic spectrum disorders.
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

5. A on Mars
Autism
The term autism refers to development
disorders spectrum, usually called
Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Paolo Decaro

6. A on Mars
Autism
Paolo Decaro

7. A on Mars
Autism
Social
interaction
•Empathy
•Social cognition
Paolo Decaro

8. A on Mars
Autism
Social
interaction
•Empathy
•Social cognition
Paolo Decaro
Behavior
•Stereotypes
•Global focus

9. A on Mars
Autism
Social
interaction
•Empathy
•Social cognition
Paolo Decaro
Behavior
•Stereotypes
•Global focus
Communication
•Gaps in the language
•Verbal stereotypes

10. A on Mars
Autism
Social
interaction
•Empathy
•Social cognition
Paolo Decaro
Behavior
Communication

11. A on Mars
?
SAS therapy
The SAS therapy (Sviluppo Abilità Sociali,
social skills development)
is made of three levels, that gradually
increases child’s cognitive skills.
Paolo Decaro

12. A on Mars
SAS therapy
Paolo Decaro

13. A on Mars
SAS therapy
?
Puppets
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
+
+
Situations
Expressions

14. A on Mars
SAS therapy
Level 1
Imitation
•Recognize facial expressions
•Activate mirror neurons
?
Paolo Decaro

15. A on Mars
SAS therapy
Level 1
Imitation
Level 2
Empathy
•Recognize facial expressions
•Activate mirror neurons
•Cause-effect relation
•People interaction
?
?
?
2A
Paolo Decaro
2B

16. A on Mars
SAS therapy
Level 1
Imitation
Level 2
Empathy
Level 3
Mentalism
•Recognize facial expressions
•Activate mirror neurons
•Cause-effect relation
•People interaction
•Anticipate reactions
•Adjust behaviors
?
?
Paolo Decaro

17. A on Mars
Happy
Surprised
Sad
Fearful
Disgusted
Angry
How can A on Mars help?
It uses a facial expression
recognition system,
offering help to
understand people’s emotions.
Paolo Decaro

18. A on Mars
What do they need?
THP
Interviews
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

19. A on Mars
What do they need?
THP
Interviews
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
Parents
Interviews

20. A on Mars
What do they need?
User test
1
THP
Interviews
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
Parents
Interviews
User test
2
THP
Review

21. A on Mars
Genitore
Terapista
Paziente
Genitore
Terapista
Estranei
Estranei
Relations between patients, therapists and caregivers
Paolo Decaro

22. A on Mars
What do they need?
Interests
•Technology
•Play
•Personal Interests
Paolo Decaro

23. A on Mars
What do they need?
Interests
•Technology
•Play
•Personal Interests
Paolo Decaro
Needs
•Motivation
•Support
•Dialog
•Exercise
•Discretion

24. A on Mars
What do they need?
Interests
Objectives
•Technology
•Play
•Personal Interests
Paolo Decaro
Needs
•Motivation
•Support
•Dialog
•Exercise
•Discretion
•Engage
•Usability
•Create relations
•Versatility

25. A on Mars
The system
A on Mars’ aims to offer a complete service, able to create
contacts between parents and therapists, and help them
during the SAS therapy.
Paolo Decaro

26. A on Mars
The system
Paolo Decaro

27. A on Mars
The system
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

28. A on Mars
A-face
The system
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

29. A on Mars
A-face
The system
A-doll
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

30. A on Mars
A-face
The system
A-doll
A-cam
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

31. A on Mars
A-face
The system
A on M
A-doll
A-cam
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

32. A on Mars
The system
A on M
Principal connections
Users
Stakeholders
Paolo Decaro

33. A on Mars
Devices
Each device has a different and defined function,
they all are also connected to each, in this way they create a
unified and complete system.
Paolo Decaro

34. A on Mars
56 mm
A-cam
32 mm
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
13 mm

35. A on Mars
A-cam
Camera
56 mm
CPU
32 mm
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
13 mm
wi-fi

36. A on Mars
42 mm
A-face
42 mm
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
10 mm

37. A on Mars
42 mm
A-face
42 mm
Wrist-band
e-ink
10 mm
CPU
wi-fi
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

38. A on Mars
A-face
Wrist-band
e-ink
CPU
wi-fi
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

39. A on Mars
150 mm
A-doll
100 mm
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

40. A on Mars
A-doll
Shell
150 mm
A-face casing
Solenoids
A-cam casing
100 mm
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
CPU

41. A on Mars
A-doll + A-face
Happy
Surpised
Fearful
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
Sad
hangry
Disgusted

42. A on Mars
The experience
There are four possible use scenarios, mobility,
therapeutic center therapy,
home therapy, parents’ training.
Paolo Decaro

43. A on Mars
Mobility
Paolo Decaro

44. A on Mars
Therapeutic center therapy
Paolo Decaro

45. A on Mars
Home therapy
A on M
Paolo Decaro

46. A on Mars
Parents’ training
Paolo Decaro

47. A on Mars
Results
The daily use of
A on Mars will improve patient’s
ability in recognizing people facial expressions.
Paolo Decaro

48. A on Mars
Results
Paolo Decaro

49. A on Mars
Results
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

50. A on Mars
Results
Patients
•Social skills
•Empathy
•Emotions
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro

51. A on Mars
Results
Therapists
•Thp tracking
•Engage
•Communication
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
Patients
•Social skills
•Empathy
•Emotions

52. A on Mars
Results
Therapists
Parents
•Thp tracking
•Engage
•Communication
Paolo Decaro
Paolo Decaro
Patients
•Social skills
•Empathy
•Emotions
•Engagement in Thp
•Family bonds
•Continuous help

53. Thanks !
A on Mars
“The world needs all kinds
of mind...”
Temple Grandin