About the project
NWO awarded a 2.4 million research grant to UT researcher Jelle van Dijk (ET - Human-Centred Design) and his team, in collaboration with the Delft University of Technology, Ethics of Technology (PI: Janna van Grunsven); HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Lectoraat Co-Design (PI: Anita Cremers); HAN University of Applied Sciences, Lectoraat Vaktherapie (PI: Suzanne Haeyen); RadboudUMC, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PI: Wouter Staal). They aim to contribute to reducing stress and anxiety, as well as improving communication and social interaction between autistic children and others (parents, classmates, teachers, siblings). By doing so, they will ultimately contribute to greater school success and the inclusion of neurodivergent people in society.
They will work on several playful, interactive spaces and objects that support safe, fun, and inclusive forms of social interaction for neurodivergent children (with a focus on autistic children). They will codesign with the children and classmates, teachers, siblings and parents; adult experts-by-experience, professionals, and creative companies. Designs are further developed into practical solutions (for example, play materials) to be used in schools and at home.
"From a research perspective, we are investigating neuroinclusive participatory sensemaking: that is, forms of social interaction that are based on mutual acceptance and creating shared experiences through improvisation and exploration. We aim to explore how interactive technology can facilitate interactions between neurodivergent children and their peers, without making normative assumptions. We also investigate how to co-design 'neuro-inclusively', involving autistic perspectives right from the start."
"Next to designs, our studies serve as a critical reflection on ableist, 'deficiency-based' technologies. We do not think the problem lies in the autistic (ADHD, ADD, etc) child. We are not teaching 'social skills'. We open the way for an alternative: provide safe, inclusive spaces in which all participants acknowledge the diversity of social needs and styles. We promote interaction literacy on both sides. We reduce stress, anxiety, and let everyone be and become, towards successful participation in later life."
Partners
With this grant (KIC - MISSION Breaking barriers to an inclusive living environment 2024), the University of Twente, Delft University of Technology, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht) and HAN University of Applied Sciences will collaborate to improve the inclusion and empowerment of neurodiverse children at school and home. We will work closely with schools and care organisations, a.o.: Gemiva Anne Frankschool, Stichting Van der Huchtscholen, Karakter kinder- en jeugdpsychiatrie, de PI-scholen, with societal partners and neurodiversity-representative organisations Neurodiversity Foundation, NVA - Nederlandse Vereniging voor Autisme, Student Onbeperkt TU Delft, ANDY Network UT, Stichting Mama Vita Stichting, Ervaringskenners, Praktijk Op Maat Gemaakt, Vaktherapie Nederland, Wegwijs In Gedrag, Erna Dogger, SWV PO Amsterdam Diemen (Steunpunt Autisme), and with very inspiring creative companies: Crdl, Monobanda, AssistiveWare, PWXR 2Tango Assistive Tech.