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The Sensory Toy Box: An Interactive Game-Based Technology As an Assessment Tool
Objectives: the objective of this study is to present a novel interactive technology based on the Valencia & Uribe (2014) prototype that can be used as an assessment tool for the evaluation of sensory preferences in children with ASD.
Methods: The sensory toy box for children with ASD is a device that recognizes different tangible inputs using Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. The device is also linked to an app, used for stimuli presentation on a tablet. The tangible inputs, figurines or shapes, have RFID tags that can be programmable through RFID writer devices to create a desired response on the toy box. The user selects tangible objects based on auditory and visual prompts he or she receives from the box or tablet. The system allows data collection on the: 1) frequency of selection of each object and 2) the order in which each object is placed on the box according to each stimulus presented.
Results: In Valencia & Uribe’s study, participants included children with visual disability (1 male, 4 females; Mage=7±0.82) and children without visual disabilities (2 males, 1 female; Mage=7.33±0.57). Through different game modes (i.e. storytelling, letters, and musical) and the use of auditory cues, visual rewards and tactile stimulation, the children in this study interacted positively with the toy box. Difficulties in concept associations to physical objects were identified in 3 of the participants. This result opens the way to explore the potential of using different sensory stimuli targeting the auditory, tactile and visual systems to discover strengths and weaknesses in sensory processing in children with ASD.
Conclusions: In this work we have developed an interactive technological tool to assist in the evaluation of sensory preferences in children with ASD. Data collection is ongoing, and by May of 2016 we expect to present on the interactions of 4-6 minimally verbal children with ASD on the toybox.