Neuro-Cognitive Virtual Environment for Children with Autism (VECA)

Abstract

Autism a neurological disorder which is often diagnosed during early childhood and can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges over a lifetime. It is increasing day by day and people are inclining from clinical and psychological therapies to assistive technologies. We have developed an interactive virtual environment VECA that aims to enhance the cognitive skills and creativity in children with autism by playing games and interacting with the environment. The setup also incorporates the feedback of the child that whether he/she is comfortable with the environment or not. This solution is cost effective, with no side effects unlike traditional therapies, and can provide valuable insight to the behavior analysis of the autism patients.  Index Terms-artificial intelligence, autism, human tracking, interactive learning, virtual environment I. INTRODUCTION A neuro-developmental syndrome known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is usually diagnosed in early childhood. It affects the brain development which results in impaired social relationships, monotonous behaviors, limited range of interests and impaired language and communication. Approximately 50-60% of the children with autism are intellectually disabled [1]. Standardized intelligence testing and clinical assessment confirmed that Intellectual Disability arises during the brain developmental period. An adaptive functioning deficits which result in failure to comply with social, cultural and developmental standards for individual independence and communal responsibility. Without continual support, adaptive deficit limits functionality of the daily life activities, such as social involvement, individualistic living and communication [2]. Studies in Europe, North America and Asia, have indicated autistic individuals with an average prevalence of around 1%. South Korean study identified a prevalence of about 2.6% [3]. The situation is alarming due to the reports from last decade shows an immense increase in the occurrence of autism from approximate 4/10000 to 6/1000 children [4].