Autistic students at Sybil Elgar School are paving the way for more accessible computing with AI software.
Autistic students at the National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School are among the first in the country to use innovative, bespoke touchless-computing with AI software (artificial intelligence), to aid development and enrich their education experience.
The school has partnered with world-renowned University College London (UCL) Computer Science and MotionInput Games to demonstrate that touchless-computing, with just a laptop, webcam and physical gestures, can enhance learning and make computing more accessible for autistic people.
Sybil Elgar School, an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rated specialist school in West London, has been supporting autistic children and young people for almost 60 years. Teaching and onsite therapy teams work together to provide a personalised approach to education for autistic children and young people from the ages of four-and-a-half to 22-years-old.
The school focuses on creative development and independent life skills to educate every child and help them grow in confidence and independence. This ground-breaking technology allows autistic students and those with higher mobility needs to learn and develop through play, without having to use expensive specialist equipment.
Marius Byleveld, Accessibility and Innovation Coordinator at the National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School, said: “It’s an exciting time for our students at Sybil Elgar School. They are using cutting-edge technology which is enhancing their education and personal development.
“We want this project to push boundaries in inclusive approaches for autistic people so they can gain greater access to latest technology.
“We’d like to thank UCL Computer Science students and MotionInput Games for their creativity and ongoing support. The transformative tools they are creating are not only benefiting our autistic young people but will help create a society that works for all autistic people.”
UCL Computer Science is home to some of the world’s most influential and creative researchers in the field of computer science. A team of Master’s students has steered the development of the touchless computing game ‘Superhero Sportsday’, which is currently being tested by autistic pupils at Sybil Elgar School.
The technology is possible because of AI software, computer vision and machine learning. The software recognises a user’s body parts and how their gestures or expressions relate to actions during gameplay.
Professor Dean Mohamedally of UCL Computer Science and CEO of MotionInput Games, said: “It was incredibly heart-warming to see the pupils having so much fun with our games. They proved so intuitive for them to play. Congratulations to the MSc UCL Computer Science students who built Superhero Sportsday, with the MotionInput Games team, in just three months!”
Superhero Sportsday is set on the island of Mauritius. Children can interact with the game through movement, whilst completing various sporting stages. You can see a video of the gameplay on YouTube.
Tess Steventon, Occupational Therapist at the National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School, said: “Our Occupational Therapy team is working directly with UCL to tailor games to our students’ unique needs. Superhero Sportsday has proved hugely popular with our autistic young people.
“The games encourage pupils to develop their motor skills whilst having fun and experiencing a sense of achievement. A mix of relaxing and active games help with self-regulation and our students also enjoy watching and encouraging their friends play while they wait their turn.”
Sybil Elgar School’s innovative technology partnerships were set up following a charitable donation from the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London, a trade association formed in London in 1349.
The support laid the foundation for exploring the use of innovative technology in school. In addition to touchless-computing, students have been practicing life-enhancing skills with immersive VR headsets which provide six degrees of freedom (6DoF) movement; and using motion tracking Senso gloves with haptic feedback to help develop gross motor, sequencing, and academic skills.
Jack, a student at the National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School, said: “Using MotionInput games and VR is really fun, interesting and clever because it gives me a chance to talk and get work experience. I am also able to exercise and stretch. My favourite games to play are kayaking and wind surfing. I also think VR has great potential for autistic people like me.”
More exciting projects and collaborations are in the pipeline for 2025. Sybil Elgar School, along with another National Autistic Society school, Helen Allison School, is currently co-supervising nine new projects with UCL and MotionInput Games, including:
• A winter version of ‘Superhero Sportsday’
• An augmented reality (AR) reading application
• A Makaton learning game
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