SuperVest: Compression Vest for Autism Spectrum Disorders

3D Modeling + UI/UX Design

Overview

Problem Statement

Children diagnosed with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at higher risk of becoming emotionally dysregulated when switching between activities, or when exposed to overstimulating environments. These moments can be difficult to detect, pre-empt, and manage, and are equally challenging for caregivers who might intervene to interrupt the behavior transition.

Role

UI/UX Designer

Research

Background Research
Literature Reviews
Interviews
Physical Prototyping
Digital Prototyping

Tools

Figma
Arduino
Empatica
Sewing Machine

Hypothesis

Theory of Change

There is room for intervention for a garment that can respond to an autistic child’s emotions immediately by providing comfort and decreasing anxiety.

Theory of Action

If young children with autism receive comfort in the form of pressure, they will feel more instantaneous relief during an “autistic meltdown” so that they are more confident during these episodes in the future.

Expected Users

Students in Early Education with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorders

24 hour caregiver
self-injury
wandering
can be diagnosable by age 2
known to benefit from deep pressure therapy

Research

Key Findings from Interviews

psychophysiological causes for addictions
breath-based biofeedback for emotional regulation
soft robotics research
affective computing
technical guidance

Moodboard & Personas

Minimum Viable Product Specifications

Track biofeedback (automatic, learns behaviors)

Capable of passively monitoring Electrodermal Activity (EDA)
Capable of passively monitoring Heart Rate
Capable of processing emotional arousal and valence, eliminating noisy data generated while performing strenuous activity/exercise

Subtle design

Blends in with other clothing
Does not loudly inflate/deflate–the wearer should not be socially punished by the garment

Retreat button (manual)

The user must be able to manually control (stop/start) actuation

Comfortable

Appropriate fabric
Straps, bands, etc do not create unnecessary strain or discomfort on the wearer

Compression

Compression is administered automatically, applying a reasonable level of pressure to the upper body in response to changes in emotional arousal (stress, anxiety, etc as inferred from sensor data and ML signal processing
The garment decompresses automatically so that future applications of pressure may be felt by the wearer