A new app is changing the game for adults with autism by turning physical activity into an engaging puzzle-solving adventure. According to Lee, the app taps into the strengths of its users, focusing on their visual and detail-oriented learning capabilities.
In this app, users are able to “travel” through famous cities around the world. They unlock new puzzles as they reach different step goals, showing how gaming can promote movement instead of keeping people sedentary. A pilot study, funded by the Maggie E. Neumann Health Sciences Research Fund, features autistic adults from across the nation who compete for a place on a leaderboard while earning real rewards. Those who log 10,000 steps daily for a month can earn a $65 gift card to Amazon. The leaderboard resets every month to keep users motivated.
Pagan, one of the participants, loves checking the leaderboard. “I’m competitive,” she says. “Seeing others walk more encourages me to step it up and solve those puzzles.” But not everyone finds the competitive angle motivating. Lee acknowledges that older autistic individuals may struggle with the technology, which can affect their engagement.
However, for Laura Willey, a 55-year-old from Northern Virginia, the app was easy to use. “There was no learning curve,” she shares. Though not a gamer, she appreciates having extra motivation to stay active beyond walking her dogs. “It’s been fun to connect and compete.”
Lee has big plans for the app’s future. He aims to secure a Small Business Innovation Research grant to help commercialize PuzzleWalk with the support of the University of Delaware’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships. The initial funding accelerated progress, making it possible to conduct this vital research.
Collaboration is also on the horizon. Lee is working with the University of Kansas Medical Center to see if the app can benefit individuals with Down syndrome. An R21 grant proposal has been submitted to the National Institutes of Health to explore the app’s effectiveness for people with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities.
So far, the pilot study’s exit interviews are promising. Participants, like Pagan, report feeling encouraged to walk more. “It doesn’t feel like real exercise, but every step counts,” she says. Lee values these insights, emphasizing the importance of capturing feedback to refine the app. “We want to ensure that the voices of our users help shape future updates,” he explains.
The research team, led by Lia McNulty—a doctoral student in health behavior science—aims to understand and improve the health of autistic adults. This is her first experience working with this demographic. “Autistic adults are often overlooked in research, so this opportunity is rewarding,” McNulty says. She believes technology presents endless possibilities for enhancing lives, especially for those with autism, who often have a natural affinity for it.
Research assistant Swetha Kathiravan also shares her enthusiasm. After graduating from UD’s neuroscience program, she worked extensively with autistic children but now realizes that support continues into adulthood. “These children grow up and still need help,” Kathiravan reflects.
The Maggie E. Neumann Health Sciences Research Fund supports initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Established in 2020 by Donald J. Puglisi and Marichu C. Valencia in honor of their granddaughter, the fund encourages interdisciplinary research across all colleges at the University of Delaware.
