For families and individuals securing a neurodiversity diagnosis has long been hindered by a lack of clinical capacity. While early intervention is known to be a vital driver of better long-term outcomes, current assessment methods are plagued by immense backlogs, with children in South Yorkshire waiting between six and eight years.
Funded by the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP) and led by Professor Paul Overton and Ambispace Ltd, the team is developing an adventurous video game that will aid diagnosis. The project takes the lived experience of a neurodiverse development team to create an engaging digital environment where players complete set stages that monitor behavioral responses. This provides the first scalable window into a player’s neurodiverse profile, producing clinically valid assessment information through active gameplay rather than traditional, static observations.
By specifically focusing on the data generated during play, the team will be able to provide individuals, carers, and support professionals with immediate guidance to secure appropriate help before a situation reaches a point of crisis.
“The difficulty of getting a neurodiversity diagnosis due to prolonged waiting times is preventing people from accessing support. Our game will help people to determine their level of clinical need and provide diagnosis-relevant information which will hopefully speed up the diagnostic process.” Professor Paul Overton
By evaluating the game's appeal and effectiveness through a dedicated focus group, the researchers will determine how this digital framework can be integrated into existing clinical structures, ensuring that future interventions are both timely and precisely targeted.
The research team will develop a comprehensive report and strategic roadmap to allow the wider scientific and business community to scale this technology, marking the first step in a long-term partnership between the University of Sheffield and Ambispace.