Curtin University and Autism West Toby PlayPad Research Project

The Toby Playpad software won first prize for the 2011 Curtin Commercial Innovative Awards. The team from Curtin University Multi Sensor Processing & Content Analysis researchers working on the Toby Playpad project are; Professor Svetha Venkatesh, Dr Dinh Phung and Dr Stewart Greenhill. Autism West has recruited Clinical Psychologist Darin Cairns and Speech Pathologist Wendy Marshall to assist with the therapy side of the project. This team has been working diligently towards developing this software that will help children affected by autism.

The initial idea behind the software was to help families start on therapy while on the waitlist for services, although the software will eventually extend to educational needs. The program uses NET style activities and natural environment situations to teach children skills including language, the software is made personal and records the child’s results. The software will be trialed over the next 5 months.  Once finalised the software will be launched and made available through the Apple Store in March 2012.

If you would like to know more information about the Toby Playpad project or to register to particpate in the trials, please visit the Toby Playpad website: http://tobyplaypad.com/