An Interactive Stool Set For Children with ASD
Tuesday August 12th, 2014
Keyword(s)
- Project
Sponsor(s)
- OCAD University
- Hot Docs
- CFC mediaLab
Overview
WITH YOU is an interactive chair that was developed for children with Au- tism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is a vibrating responsive stool with lighting system that could be used with a set of stools and/or with a ‘smart’ carpet, for multiple users. It fosters social interactive experiences between mid- to high- functioning children from the ages of 5- to 9-years. It also promotes physical awareness and enhanced communication skills.
Its design promotes the specific needs of child with ASD:
- visual and material sensory stimulation,
- increased awareness of their body and the space, and
- a sense of control.
In conjunction with the above needs, WITH YOU was also originally designed in service of ASD music therapists’ goals to support the child’s ability to:
- be calm and focused,
- communicate through words, gesture, and pictures, and
- develop social skills: be aware of other people and hold joint intention.
Through the recent cycle of observation, interviews and testing of the product, it became clear that the WITH YOU product has broader applications beyond music therapy. These include other therapy sessions such as play/social skill development, classrooms, other social environments, and as a standalone product for home use.