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RESEARCH

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The first phase of the project was the research phase. This page contains a summary of the most important literature research insights. The conclusion of the research phase, combined with the observations and co-design sessions is formulated in a list of requirements.

The research did not end after the analysis phase. During the design phase, market research and ergonomic research were conducted for the specific design direction. This research can be found below the requirement list.

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Context mapping

During the analysis phase, a context mapping study was executed. Different  chapters of the context mapping are already divided over the pages of this website.

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Co-designing

The person in this project has both autism and ADHD. People with autism often have problems with attention and verbal communication. Moreover, children with ADHD are often less cooperative and more disruptive and lack behind in a social aspects. This behaviour can be observed during the training sessions and is important to take into account in the co-design process. Therefore, the co-design process will likely have to be more focused on observations and physical activities, than on verbal communication. 

Views and assistive technologies

In less developed countries, people with impairments are often denied education and jobs. In better-developed countries like the Netherlands, the view towards disabilities has changed in recent years, with government organizations subsidizing companies that create jobs for disabled people.

Disabled people can use assistive technologies to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. In many cases, the technology does not suit the user, leading to an abandonment of the product. Therefore, it is important to use a human-centred design approach when designing for people with specific disabilities.

Dopamine research

Dopamine.png

During one of the co-design sessions, Tim's mother talked about dopamine. Therefore, a more in-depth study was executed on dopamine.

Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It's a big part of our uniquely human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting. Too much or too little of it can lead to a vast range of health issues. Some are serious, like Parkinson’s disease. Others are much less dire. 

Dopamine also might be the cause of mental health disorders and challenges. They are often linked to too much or too little dopamine in different parts of the brain. Examples include Schizophrenia and ADHD.

Dopamine rewards you whenever you engage in beneficial behaviour and motivates you to repeat the behaviour. Every time we do something enjoyable, like eating a nice meal, having sex, or going for a run, a little bit of dopamine is released in our brain. However, engaging in vices like alcohol or recreational drugs also causes dopamine to be released into the brain. This is why the chemical messenger has been closely linked to addiction. Scientists still don’t understand the exact mechanism of dopamine in the brain. 

By getting enough sleep, listening to music, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising more, mediation and cutting down processed sugars, dopamine levels can be increased.

Your body cannot run out of dopamine. Levels can either be high or low. Low levels of dopamine can happen to anyone and can be linked to numerous health conditions like depression or PTSD.

Dopamine is an important factor in:

Research on already existing tools

When looking into already existing techniques and products that are useful for a child with autism, a lot of different ideas were found. Examples of products are chewing toys, slime, rainmaker toys and even fidget spinners (Pingree, 2022). These are all sensory toys that help the child relax, focus, and calm down.


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There are also multiple organisations that have a programme dedicated to coaching a child with autism in sports. An example of an organisation like this is the Youth Sports Research Council in New Jersey USA. On their website, they provide very useful tips and trick on how to guide a child with ASD when practising sports. Something very interesting and useful is the next: “Often, if the child is engaged in some type of movement, their vestibular system helps them to engage in better listening for learning. For instance, if the child is standing on an unstable surface (e.g., squishy mat or floor trampoline) while they are given directions, they may have better processing and retention of those directions.”

List of requirements

User experience

Hardware

  1. The product should be easy to interact with

  2. The use of the product should be self-explanatory.

  3. Any language used must be very literal.

  4. The product should use as few words as possible.

  5. The product should give immediate, specific and positive feedback to the user.

  6. The product should not distract the user while others are giving explanations.

  1. The product should be easy to carry/move around.

  2. The product should be able to function without the use of an external device

Design & aesthetics

Safety

  1. The product should be made from non-toxic/hazardous materials.

  2. The product should not injure the user. 

  3. The product should have an IP rating of IPx4 (resistant to water and dust).

  4. The product should withstand a fall from 1 meter without breaking

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  1. The overall design should engage the user.

  2. Displays, speakers etc should be seamlessly integrated into the design.

  3. The design should be scratch-resistant and durable to hold up against dirt and water.

Market research

In order to distinguish our product from the market, market research has been done. The balance boards shown below are the existing products that can be seen commonly in the market.​

Roller board

The first balance board has unique stoppers at the button that can be placed in different positions according to the preference of the users.

Halfpipe board

The balance board has many different ways to play. It can be a balance board, a bridge, a ramp for rolling balls down, a track, etc.

This balancing board has a maze in the middle. It entertains the user while balancing.

Maze board

Adjustable board

The last one is only used as a balance board and it does not have any other functions. Adjustment is possible by moving the cap at the bottom and then turning it to the desired height.

It can be used as a balance ball and also for yoga, core training, and balance improvement. It can also be used while it is flipped. 

Inflatable board

Opportunities

There are products that are comparable in looks and features, but a balance board with adjustable difficulty, and with electronics to give feedback to the users does not yet exist in the market.

Ergonomic research

Tim's foot size can be used to determine the right size of the surface., so he can comfortably balance on it and won't get injured. Tim's feet are about 25 cm long. When taking 10cm of free space on all sides, this results in a diameter of 45cm

When we want to design this balance board for the whole athletics group, the balance board needs to be about 2 cm bigger. Because when we only exclude 5 % of the target group (kids of 7-12 years), a foot size of 26,1 cm is found.

Pingree, C. (2022). 10 Best Sensory Toys for Children with Autism | Carmen B. Pingree. Retrieved 8 April 2022, from https://carmenbpingree.com/blog/best-sensory-toys-for-children-with-autism/

 

Coaching Athletes on the Autism Spectrum - Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council. (2020). Retrieved 8 April 2022, from https://youthsports.rutgers.edu/articles/coaching-athletes-on-the-autism-spectrum/

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