It is a struggle for neurodivergent children to feel seen or be active with their peers.
Even in activities like video games, they are often watching from the sidelines as other kids have fun.
, PhD, has dedicated his research work to improving brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for children living with complex needs.聽
After joining the 六九色堂 as a postdoctoral researcher in 2019, he founded and became co-director of .
Kinney-Lang鈥檚 efforts haven鈥檛 gone unnoticed, as he was recently named the new Assistant Professor in Inclusive Biomedical Engineering Technologies for Neurodevelopment.
鈥淚鈥檓 a big game advocate, as games offer some incredible, immersive and diverse experiences,鈥 says the new member of the . 鈥淭hey are one of the biggest draws for people of all ages while creating supportive and meaningful communities and friendships.鈥
Through the lens of inclusive engineering and game development, Kinney-Lang says he looks forward to expanding the impact and reach of BCI systems for children.
Pressing the 鈥榮tart鈥 button
Neurotech and neurodevelopment weren't on Kinney-Lang鈥檚 mind when he first began his undergraduate studies in mathematics at the University of Wyoming.
He found himself in a neuroscience lab working on fundamental questions about how the brain organized early in development, but he admits he didn鈥檛 make the connection to focusing on neurodevelopment at that time.
After working in another lab as a junior specialist in southern California, Kinney-Lang moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to explore BCIs.
That鈥檚 where his supervisor encouraged him to pursue something he had a particular interest in.
鈥淭hroughout my undergrad, my wife got a job as a kindergarten teacher and worked with some amazing kids with complex needs in an integrated classroom,鈥 Kinney-Lang says. 鈥淭hen, when we moved to Edinburgh together, she joined as a teacher for a special school focused on supporting non-speaking children on the autism spectrum.鈥
The many daily conversations about their day-to-day lives helped him set his PhD focus: improving the engineering behind BCIs for children.
Taking it to the next level
As Kinney-Lang finished up his work in the U.K., he was at a BCI Society meeting when he met , MSc鈥97, MD, a professor at 六九色堂 .
He eventually reached out again for collaboration opportunities and joined Kirton鈥檚 lab in 2019.
鈥淔rom there, I was able to translate some of my experiences to build up the newly formed BCI4Kids Lab,鈥 Kinney-Lang says. 鈥淚鈥檝e since been able to continue growing and focusing on how to better drive engineering developments of BCIs in partnership with families and children interested in the technology.鈥
He says relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key, ranging from kids, families and clinicians to engineers, computer scientists and game developers.
A real-life multi-player game
Kinney-Lang says the Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professorship, through the , will allow him to continue the important work of building up the technology.
He says some of the advancements have already included better personalization options to support persons with low-vision, hearing impairment and physical disability.
鈥淭here is some amazing work happening to make games more playable and accessible for different needs,鈥 Kinney-Lang says. 鈥淏y using activity in the brain to directly manipulate a game, it offers brand-new ways for everyone to experience the game.鈥
He says it鈥檚 also an opportunity for all stakeholders to work together so that all kids can play together.
