Smart Toy for Early ASD Assessment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
“Tangiball”: Acceptability of a Smart Toy for the Clinical Detection of Sensori-Motor Dysfunction in Children with possible Autism Aged 2-5
IRAS ID
295141
Contact name
William Farr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Autism assessment referrals across Kent Surrey and Sussex have doubled within the last 5 years. Covid-19 has further delayed pathways. Innovation has not kept pace in assisting clinical teams with low cost, fast and unobtrusive pathways to shorten waiting times. As clinical interactions with younger children nearly always utilise toys to improve engagement, this Smart Toy solution enables automated data capture - otherwise lost - by embedding sensors in toys. Accurate data capture during object interaction has the potential to significantly reduce assessment time during paediatric assessment - a recognised problem highlighted in the NHS Long term plan.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0214
Date of REC Opinion
7 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion