Frequently Asked Questions


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Technical issues
Does the Pictogram Room work on any computer?

Pictogram Room can be used on any compatible PC meeting the following requirements:
  • CPU: 2.66Ghz Dual-Core Processer
  • ATI Casrd/ NVidia PCI-Express 256MB supporting OpenGL 2.0
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Hard Drive Space: 434 Mb
The application is only available with the Windows 7 operating system.

Are any devices required to run Pictogram Room?

In addition to the computer with the above requirements, Pictogram Room required a Microsoft Kinect® device, available in IT and video game stores or major department stores.

What is Kinect® and how much does it cost?

Kinect® is a device which uses a series of cameras and sensors, and which, together with specific software, makes it possible to detect an entire human body. In addition to detecting any person standing in front of the device, it reflects the specific position of the different parts of the body at all times.

Its retail price is approximately 150 euros.

Does Pictogram Room work on video consoles such as XBOX?

No, Pictogram Room does not work on XBOX or any other games consoles available on the market. It is a PC-only application.

Does it require a projector or a television?

We recommend using Pictogram Room with a sufficiently large viewing surface to allow the size of the users and the objects reflected to be as close as possible to their actual size and thus creating the desired mirror effect. This means that the best solution is to use a projector to obtain a large scale image. If this is not available, a 42” screen television or larger should be used.

It is not advisable the computer monitor for Pictogram Room.

Does it require a touch screen?

No, Pictogram Room does not require the use of a touch screen.

Does Pictogram Room need speakers?

Yes, the computer must have speakers connected in order to use Pictogram Room.

What is the correct size for the room where Pictogram Room is set up?

For optimum use, Pictogram Room requires a space completely clear of furniture or other objects which may get in the way, and it should measure at least 3 m long (in front of the Kinect® device) and 3 m wide (1.5 on each side of the Kinect® device). This allows both the student and the tutor to move around comfortably.

Setup and customisation
What elements can be customised?

In Pictogram Room a number of elements can be customised in order to adapt to user needs or preferences. On one hand visual aspects can be changed, such as the colour of the figures representing the users, or the type of background used for a specific activity. The sounds used at certain times can also be changed, for example “step completed”. There are also customisable options for completing the activities, such as the speed at which the pictograms move, how long each turn lasts, etc…

Can Pictogram Room be customised from the computer?

Yes, certain visual elements and sounds can be customised from within the application itself which affect how the activities are completed, thus adapting difficulty to each user’s level.

Can Pictogram Room be customised from the project website?

Yes, you can also customise specific identifying features for student and tutor, the sounds, music and videos appearing in the activities, as well as overall application preferences.

Can I use the child’s favourite songs for use in the Pictogram Room?

Yes, you can add the student’s favourite songs to Pictogram Room provided they are in MIDI format (.mid), which is the only format recognised by the application and the only one which will allow you to vary them depending on what happens during the activities.

Pedagogical issues
Can I use Pictogram Room with my autistic son and his brother at the same time?
Yes, these video games can be used by two children at the same time. We advise adult supervision. The activities have been designed to make it possible for two children to play. In these cases, it is best for the autistic child to start out with an advantage. This can be done by giving him/her the chance to practice the activities in advance, making the only novelty the company of his/her sibling and helping to control the situation.

Can Pictogram Room be used to teach children to understand Pictograms?
Understanding pictograms is one of the implicit objectives of the Pictogram Room activities. The idea is for the children to become familiar with the iconic representation of their own bodies, among other things, to identify themselves with the pictogram figures or drawings. However, true understanding of pictograms, and their purpose, also requires the user to have experience in the use of these aids in order to express him/herself (for example, using the “water” pictogram to ask for a drink) and to understand the outside world (for example, being able to identify different daily activities using pictograms on a timetable or information systems, such as, for example the pictogram for “going swimming”). This experience is not provided by Pictogram Room, and needs to be provided in different environments in the life of the student.

How do autistic children respond to Pictogram Room?
At the time this portal was presented, this tool had been tested with several dozens of autistic children at the Autism Associations in Burgos and Ávila and the Fundaciò Mira’m. In all cases, the children have found it an attractive and fun tool, getting rapidly familiar with the different types of visual and musical aids and the video games including in the programme. However, we cannot guarantee that this will be case for all autistic children. A number of studies are underway to assess the impact of this tool in a group of autistic people of different ages and development levels, for which the results are not yet available.

How is music used in Pictogram Room?
Music forms part of a number of activities contained in the Pictogram Room, In some activities the user can create new music by moving his/her body. In others, body movement alter the rhythm and tone of a predetermined song. The tutor can add the student’s favourite music via the setup section on this website, having first registered and downloaded the application. Using the student’s favourite music increases motivation and interest in the game and makes the Pictogram Room experience more positive.

Is it possible to track the player’s progress while using Pictogram Room?
Yes. At the end of each game, the tutor needs to answer a question about how the student has done on that game in particular. The player obtains a top score (three points) if the activity has been resolved correctly, without physical or verbal assistance, and a minimum score (zero points) if the task is not resolved even with physical or verbal assistance. The scores obtained in all the games are always visible on the different navigation screens, making it easy to see which particular activities need to be tried again.

Can the sessions with the child be recorded?
The Pictogram Room desktop application does not have a system for recording sessions on video. However, free programmes can be used (such as CamStudio) to record these sessions from the computer where the application is installed and running, capturing the video image shown on the screen along with the sounds of the application and those heard in the room, using a microphone. If the session is to be recorded in this way, it is advisable to use a powerful computer, as otherwise the video recording may reduce processor speed and prevent Pictogram Room from running properly.



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