Description du projet
Un outil diagnostic pour les synesthésies chez l’enfant
Le trait génétique de la synesthésie désigne l’expérience de sensations fantômes lorsque des éléments sensoriels sont simultanément perçus par un ou plusieurs autres sens. Les synesthésies associent les lettres, les formes, les nombres et les sons à une autre perception sensorielle telle que le parfum, les couleurs ou le goût. Malheureusement, les synesthésies sont comorbides avec d’autres pathologies, telles que les troubles d’anxiété et l’autisme, et peuvent ainsi avoir un impact sur le processus éducatif. Le projet SYN-TOOLKIT vise à développer un package basé sur une application pour diagnostiquer et soutenir les deux formes les plus prévalentes de synesthésies chez l’enfant. SYN-TOOLKIT se focalisera sur une preuve de concept en déterminant la faisabilité technique, l’ergonomie et la commercialisation de la solution, sur la base du package de test mis au point. Le projet tentera de combler les lacunes actuelles en matière de ressources diagnostiques pour les enfants présentant des synesthésies.
Objectif
People with the genetic trait of synaesthesia experience phantom colours, sounds, tastes, and other unusual sensations. These are triggered by everyday activities like reading or listening to music. Importantly, synaesthesia is comorbid with health conditions including anxiety disorder and autism, and has a known impact on education. Although there are widely available tests for diagnosing synaesthesia in adults, there are none for children - despite its relatively wide impact (307 million synaesthetes worldwide). My ERC Consolidator grant MULTISENSE has generated such a test, to share with fellow researchers. However, during the course of MULTISENSE we have been approached by multiple professionals beyond the research sector (e.g. clinicians), each in need of a diagnostic for the child synaesthetes they are increasingly encountering. These professionals require a test package comprising Diagnostic tool, Testing manual, Automatic Scoring, etc. which could be easily implemented by non-scientists. Not only is this testing package non-existent in any country worldwide, but it is requested from us on a regular basis. Hence, SYN-TOOLKIT will provide an app-based package to diagnose and support two of the most prevalent forms of childhood synaesthesia. We will trial our package on target audiences including partners in Local Education Authorities (with government oversight of schools) and the National Health Service. We will take our test-package to proof of concept by establishing technical feasibility, usability, and commercialisation. We have explored our market with an award that engaged the Sussex Innovation Centre, experts in market exploration. In summary, there is a pressing need to produce a commercialised test kit for childhood synaesthesia, for use by clinicians, education professionals and parents. This would address the striking lack of provision for children with synaesthesia, bringing benefits to synaesthetes, parents, educators, and clinical practice.
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ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantInstitution d’accueil
BN1 9RH Brighton
Royaume-Uni