Biometric wristbands could help those with autism

This article was taken from: https://news.sky.com/story/biometric-wristbands-could-help-those-with-autism-11302172

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

If a person’s triggers can be identified and avoided, it could mean less stress and fewer serious episodes, researchers say.

A biometric wristband designed to predict epileptic seizures may soon be helping people with severe autism.

David Adamson, a resident at Raby Hall in the Wirral for 17 years, is the first autistic subject to be given the device, which researchers say will measure his levels of stress and anxiety.

They hope this will be able to predict what carers call a “meltdown event”.

For Mr Adamson, 34, those events regularly happen in the evenings, resulting in poor or no sleep. They also often lead to him self-harming.

It is hoped that by monitoring his biometric data, the team at Raby Hall, which is owned and run by the charity Autism Together, will be able to determine what triggers Mr Adamson’s stress events, and therefore help him to avoid those factors.

“What we know is that many people who are autistic and non-verbal can only express how they’re feeling through their behaviours,” says Robin Bush, chief executive of Autism Together.

“And of course the more anxious people get, the more extreme those behaviours become.

“So what we’re hoping is to use this technology to help carers and professionals around the individual to understand when people are becoming distressed and then reduce their anxiety.”

In a few weeks, Mr Adamson will be joined on the pilot scheme by seven other residents at Raby Hall.

The trial will gather data for six months before reviewing the system.

If the individual’s triggers can be identified and avoided, it could mean less stress and fewer serious episodes for people like Mr Adamson.

#AutismAwarenessWeek

Posted in

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

NEWSLETTER

STAY CONNECTED

Our social media pages regularly provide useful company and industry updates.
Connect with us to stay informed!

GET THE THE APP NOW

©2024 OneCall24 - All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by TDW Digital Solutions Ltd.

Please contact us for our Terms & Conditions & FOI Act or click the following to view our privacy notice or cookie policy.