ETAP

(Early) detection and personalisation of autism spectrum disorder therapy for prevention

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have shown an increasing prevalence in recent years and are often associated with significant cognitive impairments. One of the most striking characteristics of ASD is the so-called “social blindness” − the inability to recognise emotions in other people and to react appropriately to them. This limitation is currently addressed mainly through intensive 1:1 small group therapies, which are both costly and resource intensive.

The need for effective yet low-cost solutions to prevent severe social dysfunction in people with ASD is therefore of great urgency. One possible innovative answer to this problem could be the virtualisation of emotion recognition training and therapy. This solution aims to significantly improve access to such training and reduce the associated costs.

Virtual therapy

The proposed solution consists of a combination of three novel key elements. 

Firstly, hyper-realistic avatars are used to simulate authentic social interactions. These avatars can express a wide range of emotions, allowing learners to train their emotion recognition skills in a controlled but realistic environment.

Secondly, computer vision technology is used to analyse the emotional state of users in real time. This technology makes it possible to provide personalised feedback and to continuously monitor and adapt the progress of learners.

Thirdly, programmed therapy methods are used that have been developed based on proven psychotherapeutic approaches and can be flexibly adapted to the individual needs of the user.

By combining these key elements, a virtual training and therapy method could be created that is not only cost-effective but also scalable. This would enable wider availability and more intensive support for people with ASD and thus make a significant contribution to improving their social skills and quality of life.