Learning for Children, a diagnostic gaming company, is releasing its Early Detection dyslexia and autism interactive games, which are suitable for parents to test individual children or for teachers to use in classroom settings.
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates one in 10 children have dyslexia, and one in every 166 suffers from autism. Early detection of these disorders, and intervention, can help build effective treatment programs.
Learning for Children says its computer games are divided into six levels and are based on low stress, low anxiety, fun exercises in which a child is unaware they are being tested. Each level measures the age-appropriate developmental skills required to complete a game and provides instant feedback.
According to the company, a key sign of autistic behavior is the inability to deal with random sequences. Therefore, the arrangement in the games is changed each time they are played. The analysis of play pays particular attention to the number of attempted answers made by a child, as well as their performance in games, which can reveal specific inabilities. As children play, the system tracks the number of incorrect and correct answers, as well as attempts made, in a private, password-protected record. A parent or teacher then uses this information to decide if further testing is warranted.
