Gamified Autism Education: Bringing WhizKid Games into the Mobile Age
In 2024, one in 50 children in the first world were diagnosed with autism – a tripling since the turn of the century.
Alongside this rise there has been a boom in gamified assistive technologies that help children on the autism spectrum communicate, learn, and complete daily activities. In this crowded market, Victoria’s own Education Network Group created WhizKid Games – one of the few platforms that has been scientifically tested to assist with multiple behavioural impairments in affected kids.
Telematics Trust is now proudly providing $50,000 of grant assistance to Education Network Group, so that they can undertake a transformative redesign of WhizKid Games.
The redesign will incorporate 3D animations, a comprehensive user management portal for parents and educators and bring WhizKid Games to modern mobile browsers for the first time, ensuring these life-changing games stay accessible, engaging and can be enjoyed by kids and their parents for years to come.
Well-designed Therapies
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lifelong disabilities that can impair a person’s social interactions and communication, and are characterised by restricted interests and repetitive behaviours.
While therapies are varied, well-designed animations and games have been proven to engage children on the autism spectrum and help them develop independent living skills. WhizKid Games is a leading platform in this space.
Founded by Dr James George Marshall and Bill Trikojus in partnership with Swinburne University's Multimedia Design Program, its 16 therapeutic games have been played by 1.2 million users in over 180 countries, and are themed around everyday activities such as getting dressed, going to school, and following a schedule.
Each game is designed to be engaging, entertaining and affect behavioural change specific to educational and therapeutic needs. Robbie the Robot features animations and a real person's face to help children recognise emotions, while Ted’s Ice Cream Adventure teaches children the importance of eye contact through adorable, large-eyed Teddy bear characters.
Other games address transactions, schedules, nonverbal gestures, route finding, coping with change and other skills these kids may have a hard time with.
Joy and dignity
Asked to reflect on Telematic’s grant assistance, CEO of Education Network Group and the founder of WhizKid Games, Dr James George Marshall, had this to say:
"The grant has been instrumental in helping us redevelop Whizkid Games, enabling us to update our platform for mobile accessibility, ensuring that children and caregivers can access the games on modern devices. With this support, we’ve been able to enhance game functionality, incorporate evidence-based interventions, and work towards a 2025 launch with sixteen fully redeveloped games.
"The impact of this grant extends beyond technology—it has allowed us to continue our mission of bringing dignity and joy to autistic children, providing engaging, research-backed experiences that help them thrive. We are incredibly grateful to Telematics Trust for their belief in our work and their commitment to leveraging technology for social good."
The addition of a management portal for parents and educators is an important aspect of the WhizKid Games redesign.
This portal will provide essential tools for monitoring progress and adapting the learning paths according to a child’s individual needs. Best of all, the redesigned game’s offline functionality will guarantee accessibility for children in rural and remote areas – a key Telematics Trust priority.
Enriching Life through Design
In 2023, Whizkid Games won Swinburne University’s Venture Cup – an award that recognises the best in business ventures from Swinburne’s student, academic, research and alumni categories.
This recognition is well overdue for those at Education Network Group, who have been developing educational games and socially responsible Software for over 20 years.
Their mission, to ‘enrich life through wonderful design’, build communities and ethically create engaging and emotive experiences is one that Telematics Trust is thrilled to have had a part in.
Be kept in the loop all of Education Network Group’s work, including the upcoming launch date of the redesigned WhizKid Games, by visiting their website.
