A Sense: University Project

University- Final Project: A. Sense

Design Brief: How can I improve the school transition for autistic children?

A key part of this project was communication with educational staff. This project began with discussions with staff members at a local Primary school and observing the classroom environment. Staff were able to identify the client age range of 5-7 years old as a particularly challenging time when transitioning into a Primary School environment. From this, a range of problems were identified and explored. The key focuses of the project were to:

- Help children communicate with their peers and teaching staff (including those unable to verbal communication).

-Suit the individual sensory experiences/ needs of the child.

-As a result of the two outlined above, contribute to the minimisation of challenging behaviours in the classroom.

After a range of initial concepts were explored and presented to the school; moving forward I began to explore the role of a 'buddy' to assist with communication, to bridge the gap between the children's fascination with objects and their struggles with vocalising their emotions and needs. A range of sizes and shapes were tested; however, due to the need for the product to be inexpensive to manufacture, a modular form was developed with the curvatures to ensure that the design gave a friendly appearance. After this, testing the mechanics and ensuring the design could adhere to safety regulations became a priority development.

Developing the shapes (individual parts)

Connection Scenarios: Modelled on Solidworks

After prototyping and testing both scenarios, it became apparent that the second scenario was very fiddly for the children to handle and despite the magnet addition, the material would often slide out of place (or in the case of thicker materials, not fit as well).

Further prototype development was conducted and the magnets moved to the centre of the body material (to enable them to attach to both the skeleton body and the arm).