Fiddle
Fiddle
A tool to Empower Kids on the Spectrum through Play Therapy
A tool to Empower Kids on the Spectrum through Play Therapy
Understanding ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Understanding ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
ASD is a developmental disability that affects how a person perceives and interacts with the world. It's a spectrum, which means that everyone with ASD experiences it differently. Some children may be nonverbal, while others may have advanced vocabularies. Social interaction, however, is often a shared challenge.
ASD is a developmental disability that affects how a person perceives and interacts with the world. It's a spectrum, which means that everyone with ASD experiences it differently. Some children may be nonverbal, while others may have advanced vocabularies. Social interaction, however, is often a shared challenge.
Social Cues
Social Cues
Children with ASD may struggle to read facial expressions, body language, and understand the hidden messages behind words (like sarcasm).
Children with ASD may struggle to read facial expressions, body language, and understand the hidden messages behind words (like sarcasm).
Friendships
Friendships
Initiating conversations, taking turns, and understanding emotions can be tricky, making it difficult to build relationships.
Initiating conversations, taking turns, and understanding emotions can be tricky, making it difficult to build relationships.
Sensory Overload
Sensory Overload
Bright lights, loud noises, or even the feel of certain fabrics can be overwhelming and lead to meltdowns.
Bright lights, loud noises, or even the feel of certain fabrics can be overwhelming and lead to meltdowns.
"The world we design often excludes many."
"The world we design often excludes many."
One in 36 (2.8%) 8-year-old children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to an analysis published in CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
One in 36 (2.8%) 8-year-old children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to an analysis published in CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
From Assumptions to Empathy:
The Fiddle Design Journey
From Assumptions to Empathy: The Fiddle Design Journey
Through research, I identified the key areas to target within the app, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. This app focuses on integrating auditory, verbal, sensory and spatial facets of a child while playing the game.
Contrary to the popular belief, autistic kids; despite lagging on social skills show an exemplary aptitude for arithmetic and visual abilities and are often quicker than regular kids when it comes to artistic tasks.
Through research, I identified the key areas to target within the app, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. This app focuses on integrating auditory, verbal, sensory and spatial facets of a child while playing the game.
Contrary to the popular belief, autistic kids; despite lagging on social skills show an exemplary aptitude for arithmetic and visual abilities and are often quicker than regular kids when it comes to artistic tasks.
Key Features
Key Features
01
01
Autonomy and Personalisation
Autonomy and Personalisation
Customisable avatars enhance agency and engagement through self-expression and choice.
Customisable avatars enhance agency and engagement through self-expression and choice.
02
02
Creative Freedom with colours
Creative Freedom with colours
Open ended colour exploration fosters creativity, cognitive flexibility and intrinsic motivation.
Open ended colour exploration fosters creativity, cognitive flexibility and intrinsic motivation.
03
03
Navigating Emotions with Animal Avatars
Navigating Emotions with Animal Avatars
Animal avatars serve as cognitive scaffolds, helping children navigate emotions through relatable, playful interactions.
Animal avatars serve as cognitive scaffolds, helping children navigate emotions through relatable, playful interactions.
04
04
Progressive Learning for Engagement
Progressive Learning for Engagement
Adaptive difficulty and reward loops drive motivation, reinforcing a growth mindset and problem-solving skills.
Adaptive difficulty and reward loops drive motivation, reinforcing a growth mindset and problem-solving skills.
05
05
Math through Play
Math through Play
Gamified math concepts enhance cognitive development, reducing anxiety and improving retention.
Gamified math concepts enhance cognitive development, reducing anxiety and improving retention.
06
06
Parental Insights and Support
Parental Insights and Support
Real-time progress tracking, strength identification, and resources to support caregivers in their child's learning journey.
Real-time progress tracking, strength identification, and resources to support caregivers in their child's learning journey.
Keeping it Fun & Functional:
Meeting the Needs of Young Users
Keeping it Fun & Functional:
Meeting the Needs of Young Users
Keeping it Fun & Functional:
Meeting the Needs of Young Users
Designing interfaces and apps for kids is not just a matter of simplification or making the buttons bigger, it requires us to consider interaction models and user experience from the child’s perspective.
Colors play a vital role – turquoise promotes serenity, while peach evokes feelings of safety. I steered clear of overwhelming reds and harsh whites, opting for a palette that fosters a sense of well-being.
Designing interfaces and apps for kids is not just a matter of simplification or making the buttons bigger, it requires us to consider interaction models and user experience from the child’s perspective.
Colors play a vital role – turquoise promotes serenity, while peach evokes feelings of safety. I steered clear of overwhelming reds and harsh whites, opting for a palette that fosters a sense of well-being.
Fiddle Buddy
Fiddle Buddy
Playful Icons
Playful Icons
Vibrant Colours
Vibrant Colours
Learnings and Next Steps
Learnings and Next Steps
01
01
Embracing Mistakes and Learnings
Embracing Mistakes and Learnings
Instead of a right or wrong approach, kids should be encouraged to explore, make mistakes, and learn creatively.
Instead of a right or wrong approach, kids should be encouraged to explore, make mistakes, and learn creatively.
02
02
Letting Kids Set
Their Own Pace
Letting Kids Set
Their Own Pace
Rather than unlocking levels, kids should be free to choose their own difficulty, promoting confidence and independence.
Rather than unlocking levels, kids should freely choose their difficulty, fostering independence and confidence.
Rather than unlocking levels, kids should freely choose their difficulty, fostering independence and confidence.
03
03
Prioritizing Visual Learning
Prioritizing Visual Learning
Replacing text with icons and illustrations makes learning intuitive and stress-free, reducing cognitive overload.
Replacing text with icons and illustrations makes learning intuitive and stress-free, reducing cognitive overload.
