Hi guys, have a look here, I am a designer and want to know more about autism!!!

[Rodafina]

Hi, Rodafina! I am a bit busy these days, sorry for the late reply.

I am glad to hear that you feel comfortable with animals. When I'm considering the concept, I imagine the virtual dog could be very very realistic.

Right, but the problem is it is not alive. Living things bring a different chemical release of oxytocin than nonliving things.

I give you an example. The virtual idols. I don't know if you have ever seen them (I posted one here, AYAYI, a Chinese virtual idol), they are just like a real human.

I have never seen them, but when you say they are just like a real human, that isn’t possible.

so, the core of this project is still improving eating disorders, while participating in cooking and being encouraged by realistic animals are the approaches. The interactions will be like, the dog (for now, I am only considering the dog, bcoz they are widely accepted) gives you some hints for guiding you to do some actions (such as cutting or grinding) to alter the textures of the foods. Might use their nose to point to the key components, so that you are encouraged (and of course, you know how to use it before that, the dog is just encouraging).

This sounds a bit complicated. Also, it sounds like there would be a steep learning curve to integrate and use the technology into a real person’s home.

But according to the existing technologies, there might still need to wear AR glasses, which might have a bad effect on the feelings. I am considering making it partially fictional so that I could avoid the technology limitation, based on the developing trend.

It sounds like a very fascinating fiction, but it lacks practical application in reality. Adding glasses and other hardware components or lessens the value of something that is meant to assist in eating, in my opinion.

Ayayi:
(Shes really attractive, but looks still a little bit "fake". Anyway, that's will be improved)
View attachment 92711

Not to nitpick here, but “really attractive” means something wildly different to different people. She is a very specific looking person that many people will not relate to because of the attempts to make her look conventionally attractive. When I look at her, I feel uncomfortable and disconcerted that we are making fake humans instead of understanding better the real ones.

I am a creature of nature and although I love technology, humans are my real interest. Thus, I would likely not be a candidate for this type of assistance.

Your ideas in terms of creating an interesting fictional world are fantastic. Your ideas for using them to help children with eating difficulties are difficult for me to understand. But alas, I am only one opinion and merely one drop of water in this ocean, so cast your net widely and you will hear different things.

 

[ShawnChan]

Right, but the problem is it is not alive. Living things bring a different chemical release of oxytocin than nonliving things.


I have never seen them, but when you say they are just like a real human, that isn’t possible.


This sounds a bit complicated. Also, it sounds like there would be a steep learning curve to integrate and use the technology into a real person’s home.


It sounds like a very fascinating fiction, but it lacks practical application in reality. Adding glasses and other hardware components or lessens the value of something that is meant to assist in eating, in my opinion.


Not to nitpick here, but “really attractive” means something wildly different to different people. She is a very specific looking person that many people will not relate to because of the attempts to make her look conventionally attractive. When I look at her, I feel uncomfortable and disconcerted that we are making fake humans instead of understanding better the real ones.

I am a creature of nature and although I love technology, humans are my real interest. Thus, I would likely not be a candidate for this type of assistance.

Your ideas in terms of creating an interesting fictional world are fantastic. Your ideas for using them to help children with eating difficulties are difficult for me to understand. But alas, I am only one opinion and merely one drop of water in this ocean, so cast your net widely and you will hear different things.

Hi, yes I totally understand the thing you said. Those technologiees are developing, and none of us could foresee the final result of them, and in fact they will hardly stop before another brand new and powerful technology in this aspect is created and can totally beat it.

I accept your opinions and of course, respect your feelings. You are just provide your personal thoughts... and here, I only see them as the check tools of the concept, dont worry.

Sometimes, people are trying to think about the future, but you know, there's no right or wrong. And when I was still in my university, my tutor told me "once you did a project with speculative things, you should kick it to the public to get the feedbacks. and if you spark some discussions, debates, or even fights, for this project, you have already succeeded." So, glad to see your thoughts and comments, different with me, but powerful and interesting, And they are unique, from a very distinct individual.

 

[Kevin1968]

I think you are starting from an erroneous position.


Autistics rarely fit into the stereotypical model, we are individuals with "spikey" skillsets and senses.
One autistic might seek out spicy food, craving the sensations and another would be totally unable to deal with the sensory overload.
I don't think an autistic can be trained to adapt their sensory condition anymore than you could be trained to just eat unflavoured tofu everyday or just Carolina Reapers (extreme pepper).
However perhaps there is work that could be done to change cooking techniques and ingredients so that a wider variety of nutrients would be available to those autistics

Your artificial dog sounds similar to the robots that many neurotypicals want to use on autistics. We are humans and suggestions that we react better to AI than real life dehumanises us and actually creates more of a barrier between NTs and autistics. Real dogs are magnitudes of order more intelligent and understanding of humans than any current so called "A.I." algorithms (especially the trained dogs).

If the culture in China is not to accept autistics because of how they are different, then perhaps it is Chinese culture that you should be trying to change?

 

[ShawnChan]

I think you are starting from an erroneous position.


Autistics rarely fit into the stereotypical model, we are individuals with "spikey" skillsets and senses.
One autistic might seek out spicy food, craving the sensations and another would be totally unable to deal with the sensory overload.
I don't think an autistic can be trained to adapt their sensory condition anymore than you could be trained to just eat unflavoured tofu everyday or just Carolina Reapers (extreme pepper).
However perhaps there is work that could be done to change cooking techniques and ingredients so that a wider variety of nutrients would be available to those autistics

Your artificial dog sounds similar to the robots that many neurotypicals want to use on autistics. We are humans and suggestions that we react better to AI than real life dehumanises us and actually creates more of a barrier between NTs and autistics. Real dogs are magnitudes of order more intelligent and understanding of humans than any current so called "A.I." algorithms (especially the trained dogs).

If the culture in China is not to accept autistics because of how they are different, then perhaps it is Chinese culture that you should be trying to change?

Hi, thanks for your reply first. For now, I am actually aiming to the cooking procedures.

Btw, I totally agree with your opinion that AI cannot achieve a realistic level. However, I haven't limited the background to the contemporary world, perhaps decades later. I am expecting the technologies could be more intelligent and could perform way more naturally, just like the real ones.

Again, I respect your perspectives, and of course, barriers and misunderstandings always exist. Debates will not stop until the future really comes. So, what I am doing now, is based on the technology is already improved, trying to avoid the potential risks and create an imaginary scenario. This is a work partially for future industries and technologies...

Anyway, thanks for your reply again. and looking forward to having more comments. Powerful ideas born a lot in the discussions!

 

[Outdated]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12...elp-people-with-autism-at-mealtimes/101767062

 

[ShawnChan]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12...elp-people-with-autism-at-mealtimes/101767062

Yeah, I have realized the importance of desensitization of the refused food... No matter by what approaches (but no force), encourage people to go closer to that food and try to get used to seeing it, then touching it, then smelling it, then they may be willing to try it... This is in my concept already, I would liek to let the pet could play the role of an encourager.