Fears are inevitable. Everyone has them and deals with them in different ways.

Salem's Mihir Joshi, 11, wanted a solution to his fear of spiders. So the Howard Street Charter School 7th grader created a video game that uses exposure therapy to cure arachnophobia. And, for him, it worked.

"Other than actually programming the game, the hardest part was searching up the images of spiders to use," he said. "After playing the game, I feel that my fear of spiders has decreased."

The decision to use exposure therapy came after research with a psychiatrist.

It's like exposing someone to their fear of heights; you don't start by putting them on a cliff, Mihir said. Instead, you start by showing them pictures of heights, then by climbing a rock wall.

"My game works in the same way, but instead of steps, it uses levels," he said. "The first level starts out with a very cartoony-looking spider, and then each level progresses. There are four levels, and on each one, the spiders are scarier."

Mihir's mother is a software engineer, but this was his first attempt at such a complex application. He primarily learned how to program through online forums.

The results weren't just a success for him. This game won first place in his category at the 2017 Intel Northwest Science Expo for Middle School Students.

Now he's bringing what he learned about fears to a talk at TEDxYouth@Salem.

Managed by teens, TEDxYouth@Salem speakers range from middle school to college age. Mihir will be the youngest speaker.

"I am excited to show how I can create something that could potentially help everyone even though I am only 11," he said. "When you create something, it is important to share it and make sure that others see it."

Mihir is one of seven speakers presenting at the inaugural event. Other topics include abolishing stereotypes through poetry, bridging the generational gap and tearing down misconceptions about eating disorders.

His sister talked at a TEDxSalem event in the past. Their father, Nitin Joshi, said he looks for these types of opportunities for his children.

"Having a venue right here in Salem with an audience that will appreciate the fact that kids can present their ideas and be heard is fantastic," Nitin Joshi said.

Mihir is working on converting his spider game to HTML that can be uploaded onto the internet. After that, he wants to take on virtual reality.

"I thought that if I could make you the player, you could see the spiders up close and it could help even more," he said.

Reach out to Abby Luschei at aluschei@statesmanjournal.com or call at 503-399-6747. Follow her on Twitter @abbyluschei or Facebook at www.facebook.com/luscheiabby.

TEDxYouth@Salem

What: The brightest teens share their ideas in technology, entertainment, design, science and art.

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11; doors open at 8 a.m.

Where: Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem

Cost: In advance $10 for K-12 and $20 for adults, day of $5 more

Tickets: Purchase online at tinyurl.com/tedxyouthtickets

Information:tedxyouthsalem.com

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