Invirtua - Interactive Avatars for Autism

Invirtua has developed live animation computer software to facilitate communication, learning, and video modeling across a number of practical application verticals. This software allows autistic children to become “3D Digital Puppeteers” of live interactive digital cartoon figures as a means of expression, communication and social skills HOW INVIRTUA HELPS CHILDREN • Skill improvement can be a difficult journey for autistics, as they struggle with reading or language, interpreting facial expressions and other non-verbal communication, and simply attending to instruction. When they learn to work their computer-generated avatar like a digital puppet, they can use their voice to bring the avatar alive and move it around on the screen in real time. They can give it the facial expressions they want, and there are no mistakes or judgments to worry about, in the process. • Whether a child spends a few minutes a day or even a few hours, they are working on a digital puppet show, using characters from the Invirtua system and making their own choices of how the characters are animated. There is no routine or curriculum other than the objectives and goals of the therapist or parent. • Provides a way to learn which differs from traditional therapy and research indicates is effective • Provides not only a verbal voice for children through use of the avatar, but more importantly (especially for autistic children) facilitates non-verbal communication (i.e. body language and facial expressions) in a safe and fun environment • Provides an alternative to traditional therapies, and allows children to improve their social skills and conversational skills in a safe, private, non-threatening environment • Teaches children by allowing the child to do what they enjoy doing - playing