Google recently launched a very interesting initiative called Project Spectrum, which, according to their site, was created to “give people with autism the opportunity to express their creativity and develop a life skill using Google SketchUp 3-D model.”

I really hadn’t heard much about SketchUp before learning about Project Spectrum - it actually allows you to create a 3-D picture or model, such a model house.  (Check out some really cool examples here.) Google said that they got the idea for Project Spectrum because of all the positive feedback they received about SketchUp - users were telling them how much children on the autism spectrum were enjoying it.

I was looking at some of the designs that were created and I am blown away by how great they are – very imaginative! I’m sure it’s proving to be a great creative outlet and it goes to show that there are always new ways—sometimes unexpected—in which we can engage our autistic children and have their expression and talent shine through.

Have you, or has your child, tried SketchUp? If so, what did you think of it?

Best,
Jenifer