At Gersh Autism Academy and our Powered by Gersh schools, we are always seeking tools that engage our students while helping them grow, in mind, body, and confidence. This year, we’ve introduced Didim, an innovative, interactive movement system, to multiple campuses, including our AYM in Queens—a Powered by Gersh school—and our newest campus in Bellevue, Washington and Brooklyn, New York. Early results from AYM’s pilot program show promising impacts on student motivation, motor skills, and social interaction.
What Is Didim?
Didim is a virtual playground that uses a floor projector and motion sensors to create interactive games and challenges. Students can jump, step, tap, and move their way through activities in categories like Fitness, Brain, and Games, either competing with themselves or teaming up with peers. The system tracks repetitions, accuracy, and high scores, making it both fun and goal-oriented.
Why We Love It
The Didim system blends structured repetition with instant visual feedback, which has been shown to support the development of motor planning, coordination, and body awareness. But the benefits go beyond physical skills, it also inspires students to initiate movement on their own and stay engaged for longer periods of time.
At AYM, therapists noticed that students who typically required a lot of prompting to participate in movement-based activities began to initiate play more independently. Students who avoided certain exercises in traditional OT or PT sessions became more willing to participate when those same skills were embedded in a Didim game. The games’ competitive and cooperative formats also encouraged patience, turn-taking, and sportsmanship.
Real Results from the Pilot Program
- Students showed measurable increases in sustained engagement during movement activities.
- Those with significant motor planning challenges demonstrated improved accuracy, sequencing, and stability.
- In group Adaptive Physical Education (APE) sessions, students became more aware of their peers in shared space and more responsive to directions and corrections during play.
For one student, Didim became a motivating reward that encouraged him to complete strengthening exercises with minimal prompting. For another, the predictable game structures and visual prompts reduced hesitation and improved movement execution over time.
Looking Ahead
Given the success of the AYM pilot, we’re excited to expand Didim to more Gersh Autism Academy campuses this school year. Our OT, PT, and APE teams are already planning creative ways to integrate it into individual therapy, group classes, and recreational programming.
This is more than just a new piece of equipment, it’s a new way for our students to move, learn, and connect.
