Timeline
Summer 2022
14 Weeks
Brief
How can we promote communication through play?
Tools
Solidworks, Keyshot, Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, and Model Shop
Can we design a space for children to engage and communicate emotional awareness?
Shroom Shroom is a Customizable Day Planner for Children
Chose your Activities for the day
Place designated "Warts" on Shroom Shroom's head
Complete an activity and feed it to Shroom Shroom
Activate night light mode!
Research
Getting to Know Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is Autism?
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”
It’s a spectrum
Hyper-focus on details
Struggle to communicate their needs
Changes in routine can lead to over stimulus
What's It Like Raising a Child with Autism?
In an effort to understand people's needs a little deeper I joined a couple of Facebook groups with the goal to understand parents' daily struggles when raising a child with autism.
Field research
I also conducted some interviews to subject matter experts. Which provided fantastic advice and feedback for Shroom Shroom's development.
So… What if it Could be Super Customizable?
A scenario in which a therapist suggests to a parent to customize a Shroom Shroom
Meet Ronnie Gray
Mid-Range Autism (ASD 2)
Age 4 / Non Verbal
Likes
Building blocks
Broccoli
Naps
Dislikes
Meeting new people
Noisy places
Bright colors
Goals
Build a Lego tower as tall as dad.
Needs
Emotional support
Social Therapy
Speech therapy
How would Ronnie use Shroom Shroom?
Brainstorming
Click on the Arrows to See More!
Musical Toys
Pros
Auditory Feed back
Includes Disengagement Activity
May stimulate Musical Interest
Cons
Can Cause Over Stimulus
May be too complex for Child
Too Many Prerequisite skills to use
Sensory Toys
Pros
Stimulates the 5 Senses
Exercises body
Encourages play with others
Cons
Hard to Include Disengagement Activity
Prone to Injuries When Using
Adult Supervision Required
Personal Space Toys
Pros
Provides Safe Space when Overwhelmed
Disengagement activity
Easy to Operate Alone
Cons
May want to stay there for a while
Can Draw attention to the Child
May Feel on a "Time Out"
Sorting / Planning toys
Pros
Promotes Sensory Recognition
Engages Most Senses
Helps Associate objects with names
Cons
Many Prerequisite skills
Must Disengagement activity to work
May have a Frustrating Learning Curve
Notes on: Final Aesthetic Design Choices
Design Criteria
Helps associate words with objects, actions, or feelings
Implements a Disengagement Activity
Encourages to Play With Others
Final Shroom Shroom Concept
Finishing Touches
Example of Customized Icons
For a child who loves cookies, Loves showers, but dislikes going to school and putting on socks
Charging station
Easy to move
Place Shroom Shroom at the Child's level
Making the Model
Final Prototype
Blow forming, vaccum forming, Foam carving, laser cutting, wood turning, light components.
