Video Games & ABAJacob Esparza

Making Friends Inc.

Thursday, October 3, 13

Hi, I’m Jacob EsparzaCEO & Co-Founder, Making Friends Inc.

@jacobespa @MakingFriendsSF

Thursday, October 3, 13

Controls

Video Games History

Today

Content

Interactions

Education

Thursday, October 3, 13

Therapy

School Social Skills Groups

Video Games

Can Video Games Complement Care?

1

2

4

3

Thursday, October 3, 13

Video Games & ABA Share the Same Principles

Clear GoalsVisual SupportReward-Based

Measurable Outcomes

Thursday, October 3, 13

Technology Advantages

EngagementAvailabilityDistribution

Device DeploymentIteration Cycles

Interests + LearningConsistent

Safe Environment

DataRicher

More ObjectiveFaster Collection

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“We want to create a solution, not a game”

Design Requirements

Solutions need data

Data requires interactions

Interactions require engagement

Thursday, October 3, 13

Learning Requirements

Real-World ScenariosIncorporate ABALarge Volume of Content Use Gaming MechanicsFun & Engaging

Avoid Addiction & Prompt Dependency

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How Do We Engage Kids on the Spectrum?

Diverse Range of Users• Behavioral Di!erences• Speech & Language• Sensory Needs

Adaptive Learning

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Early Adopter Customer Persona

Noah

Demographics

• “I don’t know how to make friends”• Obsessed with Pixar films• Loves mobile apps

• 8 years old, 3rd grader• Level 2 autism diagnosis• 2nd grade+ reading level• 20 hours/week therapy

Needs & Goals

Behaviors• 3 hrs/day playing apps: Youtube, Angry Birds, etc.• 8/10 can’t interpret conversations with others

• Wants friends• Anxious with new people• Needs to avoid being socially left behind

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Product Overview

GameplayMode

Navigate conversations to play games with friends(Non-Player Characters)

ComprehensionMode

Practice a skill or behavior in multiple

scenarios

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Navigation

• Role-Playing: touch to move & interact

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Conversations

• Verbal Responses• Physical Responses:Orientation, Gestures Emotional & Facial Expressions

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Mini-Games

• Arcade Gameplay • Highly Interactive• Common Playground Games & Rules• Motor Skills

Your turn!

Thursday, October 3, 13

ABA Techniques

Video Modeling (animated characters)ChainingPositive ReinforcementProviding ChoicesPrimingVisual SupportVerbal PromptingVisual Prompting

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Skills & Behaviors

Social InitiationSharingTaking TurnsWaiting PatientlyAsking Peers QuestionsAnd More

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How To Make Learning Adaptive

Animation Speed, number of objects moving, frequency, order

Sound Language, tone/pitch, volume

User-InterfaceCopy, Layout, button(s), colors, patterns, shapes

User Interactions Gestures, reaction times

Thursday, October 3, 13

How To Make Learning Adaptive

Animation Speed, number of objects moving, frequency, order

Sound Language, tone/pitch, volume

User-InterfaceCopy, Layout, button(s), colors, patterns, shapes

User Interactions Gestures, reaction times

Thursday, October 3, 13

Future

Bio-FeedbackEEGEye-TrackingHeart RateGalvanic Skin Response

Game ControlsNatural Language ProcessingBody Language Modeling

Thursday, October 3, 13

Big Opportunity

Adaptive Educational Gaming That Teaches Social Skills

Data Insights to Help Assess Di!erences and Inform Care

Innovate on ABA Learning Models for Digital Delivery

Thursday, October 3, 13

Thank You!Jacob EsparzaCEO & Co-Founder, Making Friends Inc.

jacob@makingfriendsapp.com@jacobespa

Thursday, October 3, 13