While working as a sales executive in the mapping and surveying industry, Paul Braun saw the possibility to help his son -- a 10-year-old with autism -- view the world in a new way.
Braun created “Take Autism To The Sky,” a program that would allow kids like his son to experience a different perspective in their very own “drone club”.
The idea came into fruition on Kickstarter where people were able to donate to help fund the project. On the campaign’s homepage, Braun explained:
People with autism struggle with perspective taking, empathy and change. They often see the world as black & white, desiring predictability and struggle with understanding other people's point of view. They also experience the world in very concrete terms. We want to convey this issue of perspective taking in a pragmatic, physical manner that makes sense to them. We want them to see their world from the air.
Back in March, TATTS exceeded it's funding goal of $2,600. Since then, the materials were purchased and the project has begun.
According to the TATTS blog, the kids have been at work using simulators, building hexarators (helicopter’s with GPS devices, video and flight planning software), and flying and recording their devices' missions.
"We want our kids to grasp that what they see may not be what others see, and we will convey what is a very nuanced social skill through a concrete, fun experience," Paul Braun, founder of TATTS, told Popsci.com.
A "fun experience" seems to be exactly what these kids are getting. TATTS released five kid-made and self-titled videos showing off recorded "perspectives" of their learning experiences.
In Alan's video, he dances for the camera high above in his hexarator:
Another focuses on building:
This video focused on something a little different (Hint: Homemade cookies at 1:13!):
Now that is what we call a fresh perspective.
Related
Before You Go
