Clear steps.
Individual support.

We create short animated stories about everyday routines. Our aim is to make an activity easier to show, revisit and practise with support from an adult who knows the child.

The child sets the pace.

Autistic children have different preferences and support needs. Some may find an animation useful; others may prefer a photo sequence, a live demonstration or another approach. The resource should fit the child, with room to pause, stop, decline or choose an alternative.

Preview a video before sharing it. Consider its language, sounds, visual pace and the routine shown. Adapt practice to the child’s comfort and to advice from their supporting professional.

A creative brief, informed by your setting.

For a collaboration, we start with a focused topic and agree the intended audience, language, sequence and use. Where a project needs professional input, the review process and reviewer’s role should be agreed before production. We do not claim that the current demos have undergone clinical review.

Research informs the format.

Video modelling involves showing a recorded example of an activity or skill, usually as part of a planned teaching approach. Research on video modelling helps inform our interest in using visual examples for everyday learning. It does not establish that our particular animated demos are effective.

The evidence includes different video formats, settings and learners. Findings about live-action video modelling cannot simply be applied to every animation. We intend to learn from appropriately planned collaborations and feedback without promising a result for any individual child.

Bright Steps provides educational creative resources. Our demos are not a treatment, assessment or substitute for an individual support plan.

Sources behind our approach

• AFIRM: Video Modeling evidence and practice packet — describes the practice, planning and teaching considerations.
• Campbell Systematic Reviews: video-based interventions evidence map — maps a varied research field rather than validating this studio’s products.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network: inclusion and acceptance — informs our emphasis on dignity and choice.
• W3C: helping users focus and media accessibility guidance — inform predictable navigation and user-controlled playback.

These sources are provided for context. The organisations and authors do not endorse Bright Steps.