Industrial

Persenvi – Understanding ASD

Persenvi is a system of designs that seeks to allow occupational therapists who work with autistic children an easier means of tracking the childs surroundings, and the manner in which that child reacts to it.

Matthew Swalwell

‘When dealing with kids; particularly non-verbal, the problem is knowing why things happen’

J.E, Occupational therapist

ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is a complex condition, affecting many people worldwide. The manner in which it affects a person is entirely unique to them, requiring a delicate touch, particularly during the early intervention process. Through understanding the relationship between a childs reactions to their environment and the way that environment shifts over time, more effective support can be provided for this unique condition.

Persenvi

Therapist helping a child.
Persenvi is a design solution seeking to aid in the diagnosis of the sensory sensitivities experienced by someone with ASD.

Through the use of multiple pieces of environnmental and physiological tracking technology, a pair of linked devices are able to communicate important data regarding the wearers body and their immediate surroundings.

The devices are to be used inside a clinical context, specifically by occupational therapists specializing in early intervention with autistic children. With the gathered data, an occupational therapist is empowered to create a more effective means of supporting a child, and allowing better forms of communication to be established with those children they work with.
A singular short of a smart ring on a plinth.

Smart ring

The smart ring is capable of monitoring multiple elements of the users physiology. It has been built using titanium for the outer casing, polypropylene for the internal ring. Along with that, a flexible printed circuit board has been used that acts as a housing for all the tracking hardware needed for the design to function.
A singular shot of the environmental monitor on a plinth.

Environmental Monitor

The environmental monitor is capable of tracking the wearers immediate surroundings. Specifically it tracks ambient noise, light and temperature produced by the wearers environment. These were chosen as they represent the elements of an environment most subject to rapid fluctuations.

All plastics of the device are made from injection moulded ABS. Entire assembly of the device is performed using lips and grooves, avoiding the need for screw-fixings entirely. A printed circuit board inside holds all the hardware necessary for the design to function.
A singular shot of the case on a plinth.

Package, Storage and Charging

A case is provided with the design that acts as a means of packaging, a storage solution and a means of charging the devices. Wireless charging through the use of copper coils has been utilized in an attempt to make the design as easy to use as possible.

Matthew Swalwell

Matthew has an interest in many things design related, though his primary focus is on effective research to inform better design decisions. Furthermore, he places a focus on inclusive design, holding onto a belief that design should work for everyone.