AmbiSpace: Game-Changing Neurodiversity Assessment

The Client

Established for 10 years, and based on the Kirk Sandall Industrial Estate in Doncaster, AmbiSpace is an innovation-led company which continually seeks out new ways to improve outcomes for people who are neurodivergent and people with disabilities, primarily through the design, manufacture and installation of sensory rooms, sensory nooks, and an ever-expanding range of other specialist products.
The company also manufactures fibre optic lighting solutions for a range of sectors, including sensory, medical, industrial and aerospace.
Managing Director Kevin Wheatley brings extensive expertise in the sensory sector, with over 20 years’ experience in the field, "With a passion for accessibility and inclusion, we are making the world a more accessible place through innovative products and creative expert services that make sensory support readily accessible to all."

The Challenge

Across South Yorkshire, as in many parts of the UK, waiting times for NHS neurodiversity assessments can be significant. Recognising the impact these delays can have on individuals, families and support services, AmbiSpace began exploring an innovative solution. For the last five years, the company has been developing the concept of an adventure-based video game designed to identify the presence of neurodiverse traits in players. Their vision is to create an engaging gaming experience that incorporates clinically valid assessment methods. Once completed, the game will generate assessment information that can help guide individuals, carers and support professionals towards appropriate support and interventions. However, to move the project forward, AmbiSpace needed specialist neuroscience expertise to ensure authentic diagnostic methodologies could be integrated into the game's design.

The Project

Having initially learned about the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP) through Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, and later through the University of Sheffield, AmbiSpace secured support to begin work with leading neuroscience specialists. Through SYIP, the business partnered with Professor Paul Overton, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield, along with postgraduate research assistant Jenny Green, to explore how established neuro-assessment methodologies could be incorporated into the game's mechanics and to bring clinical credibility to the gameplay. The collaboration represents the first stage of what AmbiSpace hopes will be a long-term partnership with the University.

Early-stage support enabled the team to begin developing and validating diagnostic concepts within the gameplay. Initial work has included mapping potential assessment mechanisms against the DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder, helping ensure that future assessments generated by the game are grounded in recognised clinical frameworks.

The project also supported plans for a focus group involving six to eight neurodivergent individuals who regularly play video games. Participants reviewed the game's concept, artwork and proposed diagnostic features before taking part in structured discussions led by Jenny Green. Insights from these sessions will help shape the next phase of development while ensuring that both gameplay and assessment functionality meet user needs.

The Impact

For AmbiSpace, the project has provided a crucial breakthrough after several years of limited progress. SYIP support removed a major barrier by enabling direct collaboration with world-leading neuroscience expertise and creating a clear pathway towards further development and validation. As a result, the company has been able to explore new approaches to embedding diagnostic elements within gameplay, creating a stronger foundation for clinically informed neuro-assessment. The introduction of structured user testing and focus groups has provided a framework for evaluating both player engagement and assessment effectiveness at an early stage.

AmbiSpace anticipates that a validated neuro-assessment video game could generate significant commercial opportunities, with potential revenues exceeding £10 million. The innovation also creates opportunities to pursue further funding, including potential future support from healthcare and research bodies. Although significant development work remains, the project has established a strong foundation for future innovation. By combining AmbiSpace's experience in supporting neurodivergent individuals with the scientific expertise of the University of Sheffield, the partnership is exploring a pioneering approach to neuro-assessment that could ultimately help people access guidance and support long before a formal diagnosis is available.

When reflecting on the project and processes with the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme, Kevin added, ‘We have received support that we had been denied by other avenues. The SYIP support has removed a major obstacle to progress by empowering AmbiSpace to start working with Professor Overton. It will have a significant positive impact on the business and the neurodivergent people who need our help. The process has been productive and straightforward. We were guided through the application by the University and would absolutely recommend SYIP to other organisations. It is effective and a positive experience.’

The South Yorkshire Innovation Programme is being delivered by Sheffield Hallam University in partnership with The University of Sheffield and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and is part-funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

To find out more about SYIP, please visit shu.ac.uk/syip