Input Device to Assist Occupational Therapists Treat Children with Difficulty Crossing the Midline

Jonathan Jacobs, Japie Greeff, Reolyn Heymann

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Bilateral integration, the ability to utilize both sides of one's body simultaneously and particularly crossing the midline are skills that are crucial for a child to develop by the age of 5 years old. When children have difficulty with crossing the midline, they will be unable to perform effectively. Crossing the midline allows for the advancement of various motor and cognitive skills as pathways in the brain are developed. This paper focuses on an assistive input device used with an interactive game aiming to target those children that have difficulty with crossing the midline. Previously a device was designed to accompany the game, however many complexities were encountered. Guidance from occupational therapists was sought during the development of the interactive game and the device. Using a linear potentiometer provided an innovative approach to simulate the movement of the child solving for many of the issues experienced in the design of the assistive device. Playing of the game stimulates the required pathways to create movements that were difficult or previously uncomfortable and avoided by the child. The challenges faced in the design of the assistive design will be thoroughly investigated and the ultimate working solution shall be presented.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIEEE AFRICON 2019
Subtitle of host publicationPowering Africa's Sustainable Energy for All Agenda: The Role of ICT and Engineering, AFRICON 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728132891
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019
Event2019 IEEE AFRICON, AFRICON 2019 - Accra, Ghana
Duration: 25 Sept 201927 Sept 2019

Publication series

NameIEEE AFRICON Conference
Volume2019-September
ISSN (Print)2153-0025
ISSN (Electronic)2153-0033

Conference

Conference2019 IEEE AFRICON, AFRICON 2019
Country/TerritoryGhana
CityAccra
Period25/09/1927/09/19

Keywords

  • Assitive device
  • game design and development
  • motion sensors
  • Occupational Therapy Intervention
  • serious games

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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