ReacTickles' Interactive Learning Experience

A pioneering ICT software package to promote learning through play for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ADSs) has been developed by Wendy Keay-Bright, a senior lecturer in interactive media design at the Cardiff School of Art & Design.

Wendy has led a research team to investigate ways in which computer software games can be used to help children with ASDs develop their ability to learn, communicate and interact.

 

Gaining support from Autism Cymru, children, parents and teachers, Wendy and colleague Alun Owen created ReacTickles®, a software games package that can be used at home or at school.

The games are played using standard IT equipment enabling children to develop mouse, keyboard, programming and screen skills. The colourful games take simple actions such as squeezing bubble wrap, popping bubbles, twanging elastic and flicking paint and combine them with actions that are more complex. At any time, the player can choose a new game or input mode, change the colour palette, the speed of the game or the sound volume. This helps personalise the games making it possible for children to gain improvisation and experimentation skills, which are essential for children with ASDs, for whom repetition is often a reassurance. 

 

Children find the games fun to play, an emotion that many autistic children find difficult to experience and therefore are unable to use fun as a means of relaxation, energy release, and dealing with anxiety or stress. 

 

The ReacTickles® Creativity Box has proven to help children share experiences and appreciate the needs of others and has gained the praise of teachers and parents for its positive impact on children.