Assistive tech group project with Rachel Crist from occupational therapy
“Create a sensory room in a Labbb Collaborative classroom and include a customized seating area or chair of some sort.”
User Research
Our primary user is Ben, he is 15 years old high school student with Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, other classmates should also be able to use it.
Ben's Performance skills:
Sensory: seeks vestibular input; otherwise intact sensation
Motor: intact motor control, strength, postural stability, balance
Cognitive: decreased attention, impulse control, learning delays; cause-effect awareness
Communication: minimal verbal communication
Social: impaired social skills related to ASD dx
Emotional: difficulties with emotional regulation and expression
Context
why we want a sensory chair?
He liked the previous sensory chair in middle school placement
Bungee chair didn't work
His current exercise ball popped
Brainstorm
We used Pinterest board to collect ideas and brainstorm. Here are some of the sensory chairs we found in the market.
Mood-board
We narrowed down our options based on materials, tools, and budgets we have. This is the two sensory we decided to move forward.
“I quite like them both, but for the purposes of the sensory corner, I think the banana rocker would work best.”
We got some negative feedback about using cardboard, however, we were able to find one existing chair design similar to banana rocker, which is Rock-a-Dunka reclining chair.
Considering our users and use scenario, we keep the curve and angle of the reclining part, modified the measurement
Increase length and width to fit high schooler
Add “safety stopper” to design of side panels
Change cushion color to match Ben’s color preference
Construction
Materials
Tools
User Testing
Us trying out, to test the stopper
Danny and Justin tried out the chair
Kathy & Jessica are the teachers of Labbb high school , they both like the chair a lot.
Those are the feedbacks we got.
Overall Rating :
Attractive, durable, safe, smooth/enjoyable rocking motion
Deduction for need for instructions, unclear how our primary user likes the rocker
Critique
Future Consideration
Added instructions
Padding/stopper over back end to reduce noise, prevent wear
Adding a pillow to signify which end the head goes
Stand or structure to help hold chair in place while person gets in or out of chair
Cosmetic upgrades - painting, pillow
Instruction
Comments