In order to promote awareness about neurodiversity among the neurotypical population, we have developed, together with BBC and Atos, "Experiencing neurodiverse phenomenology (ENP): An autism case study" an interactive virtual reality simulation to experience the oversensory stimulation that an individual with autism may experience in a natural environment. With ENP, users experience a first-person perspective in a classroom where a teacher is presenting a lecture while he/she is confronted with sensory distortions which are commonly experienced by persons with autism. ENP includes a virtual reality headset with motion tracking, two wireless controllers for interaction, and a wristband for physiological data acquisition to create a closed feedback loop. We use this information to modulate the intensity of auditory and visual stimuli simulating a vicious cycle in which increased arousal translates into increased oversensory stimulation.
In this session, we will present the project behind the development of this experience.
Presenting our project on a virtual-reality experience to raise awareness of the daily life of a student with autism.
We're hoping that many efforts and discussions will continue after Mozfest. Share any ideas you already have for how to continue the work from your session.:The discussion and feedback will help us improve our application.
How will you deal with varying numbers of participants in your session?:We will use breakout rooms if needed.
I am a UX Researcher and Learning Specialist at Eodyne. I hold a PhD in Educational Technologies from Pompeu Fabra University and the SPECS lab.
I am a researcher (PhD student) on Affective Computing at the Synthetic Perceptive Emotive Cognitive Systems (SPECS) lab, part of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC).