TicTouch

Supporting Therapy with Code

During the Apple Foundation Program at Parthenope University, I developed TicTouch as an iOS application to help pediatric patients with Tourette Syndrome stay committed to their therapy. Working alongside neuropsychiatrists, I addressed the biggest challenge in juvenile treatment: Adherence. I wrapped rigid clinical protocols in a gamified experience, turning a medical chore into a playful interaction that keeps children engaged and provides doctors with precise data.

The Design Philosophy

Medical adherence in children is notoriously low because treatment often feels like a punishment. I built TicTouch to transform this perception by focusing on a rewarding engagement loop that encourages consistent participation.

The Gamification Loop

I applied core game design elements to rigid clinical protocols to create a
habit loop. When a child feels the "premonitory urge" before a tic, they
perform the suppression exercise I integrated into the app. Completing the
exercise levels up their avatar and unlocks new features, rewarding the effort
and working to rewire the child's association with therapy from boring to
satisfying.

Focus on Accessibility

I paid extreme attention to accessibility because motor tics make precise
tapping difficult. I made touch targets oversized and spaced them out to
handle erratic movements, while using a high-contrast UI to reduce cognitive
load during stressful moments. I also made sure that the game's output is
automatically converted into clear histograms for doctors, allowing for
treatment adjustments based on real, structured data.

References

• Tourette Association of America: Behavioral Therapy
• Apple Accessibility Developer Guide