According to estimates from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, approximately 1-in-44 children in the U.S. have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“Autism is a complex, lifelong brain difference that affects millions of children and families,” says Bicheng Han, founder and CEO of BrainCo Inc., a brain-computer interface (BCI) company that develops products and services for the U.S. and global markets in personal health and wellbeing, robotic prosthetics and STEM education. “BCI technology is beginning to show real potential in helping people manage and even overcome the impacts of this condition,” Han adds.
Autism Inventions Vary
A large body of research and study on current methodologies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Verbal Behavior Therapy (VBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Developmental and Individual Differences Relationship (DIR) Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) and others has shown that each of these approaches can help develop social and occupational skills in children with autism. Despite broad agreement that these interventions benefit children, it remains difficult to say which type of intervention is best for the individual and how much intervention is needed.
Through clinical trials with China Autism Rehabilitation Center, Shanghai Children’s Hospital and Beijing Children’s Hospital, BrainCo hopes to provide some answers to these questions.
New Autism Intervention Clinical Trial
BrainCo’s new initiative called, Cambridge StarKids Autism Rehabilitation Center, is deploying a new kind of autism intervention that combines a non-invasive EEG headband with computer-based games, activities and exercises. Used in conjunction with other behavioral therapies, the system allows therapists to gain new insights and understanding of the individual’s real-time brain activity and track their progress as they build skills such as learning how to interact with others, reading facial expressions and maintaining eye contact.
“We are excited to offer therapists an effective BCI-based tool in their efforts to help children around the world,” says Mr. Han. “As we get better and better at identifying this challenging neurological condition, it’s more important than ever to uncover new and more effective ways to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by it.” For more information, visit www.brainco.tech.
