Display strategies for child to view on wrist worn sensor.
Creating interactive soothing toys that respond to sensor data.
Use sensor to direct child to soothing activities and sensory break areas.
Display data on desks for older kids.
Children can wear badges with data so teacher can see how they're doing and intervene.
These are some of the many sketches and models I made to explore the form and function of the splint. At first the lab wasn't expecting me to want to make sketch models so I made them out of post-it notes. Eventually I got some craft supplies and silicone tubes and things really took off.
I began with sketches and models using tiny Garrett, so I could explore lots of ideas. During research I observed that Garrett moves his body less when he has sensory stimulation around his trunk. I experimented with a flexible wrap instead of rigid sides to offer him sensory input and calm his body movement. This ended up being the big discovery upon which the design is based, and I incorporated an elastic chest wrap instead of rigid side supports in the prototype to test with Garrett.
For this project I worked through a series of sketch models to try out different concepts. This is when I discovered how much I like making fast prototypes and exploring that way.
Initially I wanted to keep the device out of the pocket, so I focused on designing it so it had to be worn in a very specific way, such as on the pager or stethoscope. The med students I interviewed thought that would be frustrating, so I designed it so it would be portable in many ways, but not a good idea to keep in a pocket. It demands attention because it can easily discharge if it is squeezed or bumped. I also made tons of form study models, but sadly, all the models from this project were lost.
