Hi Tech Floor System Helping Ealing Special Needs Pupils

New immersive experience for youngsters with autism

 
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A new interactive floor system which helps children with autism develop communication skills has been unveiled at Springhallow School in Ealing.

The new system features a state-of-the-art overhead camera which responds to body movement. Using image, video and audio files, the system provides a truly immersive experience designed to stimulate the development of young people with autism.

This month, local Councillor Linda Burke visited Springhallow School to see it in action. She was joined by representatives from the CareTech Foundation and COSARAF Foundation - the charities which made the system’s installation possible. The two charities donated £10,000 to help the school purchase the interactive system.

The system is designed so that even those with limited movement can interact with it and alter their environment, making the system fully inclusive for all. Teachers are given full training and are able to design a programme around the specific needs of pupils using any image, video or audio files they like meaning that the system provides a truly immersive, stimulating experience.

Councillor Linda Burke, from Ealing Council said: “It was a pleasure to visit Springhallow School and meet with the staff from the school, Haroon Sheikh, Chair of the CareTech and COSARAF Foundations and representatives from both charities. It was a great experience to see the portable interactive floor system that was bought with the generous donation from these two Foundations – and to see the students enjoying using it. I would like to express my thanks to these organisations and to the staff of the school for their continuing good work.”

Haroon Sheikh, Chair of the CareTech Foundation said: “At the CareTech Foundation, we are committed to supporting the community and giving those with learning difficulties every opportunity to get the most out of life. We were thrilled to be invited back to Springhallow school to see at first-hand the impact that the new interactive floor system is having, and to hear from staff on the positive effects this system has had on each pupil’s wellbeing”.

Springhallow School in Ealing is a specialist school for pupils aged 4-16 years with a diagnosis of Autism, including Asperger’s syndrome. The school strives to give each child specialised education according to their individual needs, while also offering their families emotional and educational support to improve their child’s communication, independence and well-being.

23 October 2019

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