Welcome to ReacTickles.org

The Reactive Colours project, funded by NESTA, identified that certain fundamental aspects of social interaction and communication could be promoted in young children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions through technology environments that enable children to play and explore without fear of failure. A practical outcome of this research has been the fully customisable ReacTickles software. The software is unique for this target group as it action driven, responding to sensory impulse rather than instruction. By modelling the design of the software on the highly individual capabilities and behaviours of a small number of children it has been possible to create an application that encourages social interaction through the act of being playful with mainstream technologies. Prompted by these findings, and the widespread use of ReacTickles in schools, we are now opening up development to reach beyond the desktop, to extend participation and unite developers and users who find playing with simply technology irresistible.

ReacTickles.org will explore how the qualities of colour, light, shadow, movement, 3-dimensionality and proximity could become the trigger for new and engaging forms of communication across multiple platforms. A key objective for this is to consider how to enhance interactions that are co-operative, adaptive, responsive and progressive and to investigate whether the combination of intrinsically motivating forms, rhythms and movements when combined with interaction across platforms could form the basis for a social network in either local or global environments.

To see what content is already available on the Wiki click here.