![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.JPG)
Friday, May 8, 2009
Boulevard (Chicago Hilton)
Background: Sensory Integration (SI) is among the top five most commonly used therapies to help children with autism cope in everyday situations. It has been observed by therapists and teachers that providing SI to children with autism can result in positive outcomes, including a reduction in self-injurious behaviors, an increase of on task behavior (attention), and a reduction in anxiety. A widely used SI therapy is the application of a tactile stimulus known as Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation (DPTS) - firm pressure like a firm hug, swaddling, or firm petting. Currently, DPTS is often applied using weighted or elastic garments and used in controlled environments, such as in schools and hospitals. Current application methods are passive systems that provide limited control over the amount of pressure applied and customization. Furthermore, there is a lack of literature on requirements, safety and efficacy of DPTS products.
Objectives: To develop an assistive sensory device that is universally designed, humane, person-centered, and evidence-based that leads to improved quality of life for children with autism. The resulting device must be able to successfully go from bench-top to bedside and back by being adoptable and commercially viable.
Methods: We have designed and developed a novel pneumatic Deep Pressure touch Application Device (DeePAD). To achieve our objectives, we have adopted a bench-top to bedside and back design approach focusing on function, validation, adoptability, and commercialization. To test function, we tested the device with normal adults to evaluate its effectiveness in providing a custom fit compared to the gold standard weighted vests. For validation purposes, we conducted bench top tests to collect and calibrate in situ pressure data. To test its adoptability, we interviewed parents, teachers, and therapists. To test its commercial viability, we developed a comprehensive business plan.
Results: The device was able to easily adjust to fit many different body types. Bench-top tests have shown that the product can measure and deliver a continuous scale of pressure in situ. Interview participants have responded positively to the innovative features of DeePAD. Our business plan won the 2008 UMass Technology Innovation Competition and we have received numerous non-solicited requests to purchase our product.
Conclusions: We will demonstrate DeePAD, the first deep pressure product that has been designed for function, validation, adoption and commercialization, thus ensuring a quick transition from bench-top to bedside and back. The device offers children with autism a person-centered sensory device that can be customized to their sensory needs, while providing caregivers an easy to use tool that can enable every customer a unique and customized sensory experience. More importantly, the versatility of this device, with its on-board pressure data collection abilities, allows researchers the ability and control to rigorously study the efficacy of deep pressure touch in a multitude of clinical and therapeutic settings, as well as in real world use. In collaboration with the UMass Center for Language, Speech, and Hearing (CLSH), we are currently testing DeePAD’s efficacy by measuring participant’s motor, behavioral, speech and language outcomes during therapy sessions.
Objectives: To develop an assistive sensory device that is universally designed, humane, person-centered, and evidence-based that leads to improved quality of life for children with autism. The resulting device must be able to successfully go from bench-top to bedside and back by being adoptable and commercially viable.
Methods: We have designed and developed a novel pneumatic Deep Pressure touch Application Device (DeePAD). To achieve our objectives, we have adopted a bench-top to bedside and back design approach focusing on function, validation, adoptability, and commercialization. To test function, we tested the device with normal adults to evaluate its effectiveness in providing a custom fit compared to the gold standard weighted vests. For validation purposes, we conducted bench top tests to collect and calibrate in situ pressure data. To test its adoptability, we interviewed parents, teachers, and therapists. To test its commercial viability, we developed a comprehensive business plan.
Results: The device was able to easily adjust to fit many different body types. Bench-top tests have shown that the product can measure and deliver a continuous scale of pressure in situ. Interview participants have responded positively to the innovative features of DeePAD. Our business plan won the 2008 UMass Technology Innovation Competition and we have received numerous non-solicited requests to purchase our product.
Conclusions: We will demonstrate DeePAD, the first deep pressure product that has been designed for function, validation, adoption and commercialization, thus ensuring a quick transition from bench-top to bedside and back. The device offers children with autism a person-centered sensory device that can be customized to their sensory needs, while providing caregivers an easy to use tool that can enable every customer a unique and customized sensory experience. More importantly, the versatility of this device, with its on-board pressure data collection abilities, allows researchers the ability and control to rigorously study the efficacy of deep pressure touch in a multitude of clinical and therapeutic settings, as well as in real world use. In collaboration with the UMass Center for Language, Speech, and Hearing (CLSH), we are currently testing DeePAD’s efficacy by measuring participant’s motor, behavioral, speech and language outcomes during therapy sessions.