An Assistive Technology Autism Support Device Dr. Mark M. Budnik Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. G. Scott Duncan Department of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Angela S. Vernon Department of Psychology Valparaiso UniversityAutism Support Device Autism spectrum disorders are neurological conditions characterized by abnormalities in social interactions, communication, and imaginative functioning. It is typically first observed during infancy or early childhood and follows a steady course without remission or relapse. There is no cure for autism, and it is almost certainly, like cancer, many different diseases with many different causes [1]. In addition to interaction, communication, and imaginative functioning difficulties, a large number of individuals with autism experience some form of sensory dysfunction [2]. Sensory dysfunction may be expressed as difficulty in regulating response to sensory input (e.g., over-sensitivity to repetitive sounds, under-sensitivity to painful stimuli) or as difficulty in maintaining attention to stimulation. Autistic individuals often resort to repetitive motions or verbal patterns to seek local coherence in a world that, to them, appears to be horrifyingly random [1]. These sensory dysfunction problems can lead to the symptomatic behaviors of autistic individuals. Spinning, biting, flailing of limbs, and head banging help them to determine where their bodies are in space. They also serve a “sensory modulating” function, allowing patients to regulate their level of anxiety when experiencing sensory stimulation [3]. Because of these problems, a majority of autistic individuals require long-term care and special education services [4]. The cost of a specially structured education program for an autistic child is approximately $30,000 per year [5]. Nationally, the direct cost for the care and education of autistic patients was $35,000,000,000 in 2006 [4]. During adulthood, more than 50% of autistic individuals will require more than eighteen years of Medicaid waiver (or equivalent) services and more than fifteen years of supported work services [6]. The objective of our project is to design an assistive support device (ASD) for autistic individuals with sensory dysfunction and spatial awareness problems, using the concept of localized vibration therapy, to help them better integrate into society. The ASD will be a small, unobtrusive device, which will be externally attached to the wrists or ankles and provide vibration stimulus. Such a device would be utilized to replace conspicuous self-stimulatory behaviors, allowing individuals greater control over anxiety stemming from sensory input. While much work has been done in general pressure and massage techniques for the relaxation and spatial determination of autistic individuals, there is no study or body of work specifically examining if point vibration therapy can be discreetly applied with beneficial results. It is our hope that the ASD will help individuals integrate more easily into school, social situ-ations, and occupations where conspicuous self-stimulatory behaviors are often deemed undesirable. 1.0 Work Scope of Design Project and Schedule The scope of this design project has many facets. The team began the project with little understanding of autism and its affect on individuals. Therefore, research was a key initial factor to the design. A multi-disciplinary team has been formed, consisting of four mechanical engineering students, two electrical engineering students, and four psychology students. The team defined the ASD system requirements, and a work breakdown structure has been completed. The ASD will consist of a vibration motor, a control system, a battery power and charging system, and a case with fastener for attaching the device to the patient. After analyzing the system’s realistic design constraints, taking into consideration factors including health, safety, manufacturability, and economics, the team was able to complete a failure mode effect analysis. The team has just completed an alternate solution analysis wherein they considered multiple methods for implementing the ASD’s four subsystems. The schedule for the remainder of our project is shown in Figure 1. The next significant milestone will be the completion of an ASD virtual prototype. The virtual prototype will consist of written descriptions of how each subsystem works; schematics, drawings, logic diagrams, block diagrams, and programming flowcharts; equations, fundamental principles, and derivations; and all the detailed calculations used in the design. We will then begin the construction of ASD prototype.TaskStartEndVirtual Prototype Completed23-Oct-0712-Nov-07Virtual Prototype Presentation15-Nov-0715-Nov-07∆System Implementation16-Nov-0727-Mar-08Subsystem 1 - Motor and Control16-Nov-0713-Dec-07Christmas Break17-Dec-079-Jan-08Subsystem 2 - Power and Charging10-Jan-0831-Jan-08Subsystem 3 - Housing1-Feb-0821-Feb-08ASD System Integration22-Feb-0827-Mar-08ASD Prototype Demonstration27-Mar-0827-Mar-08∆System Testing10-Jan-0810-Apr-08Draft Test Plan10-Jan-0817-Jan-07Finalize Test Plan18-Jan-0826-Feb-08Internal Review Board Approval27-Feb-0827-Mar-08Test ASD Prototype28-Mar-083-Apr-08Final Test Report3-Apr-0810-Apr-08NISH Submission28-Mar-0811-Apr-08∆March AprilNovember December January February Figure 1. Schedule for the Autism Support Device Development The construction will proceed through four stages: implement the vibration motor and control subsystem, implement the battery power and charging subsystem, implement the case and fastener subsystem, and integrate ASD subsystems. Following the completion of our ASD prototype, we will test the device against our previously defined system requirements. Since the vibration source subsystem will impact all other subsystems (see Figure 2), we have started its virtual prototype. Figure 3 shows the integration of the vibration motor and casing. This modular design will allow the vibration source to contact the user’s wrist. Figure 2. ASD work breakdown structure Figure 3. Vibration source design. 2.0 Budget A brief