Design of a wearable device that supports self-awareness in children with ADHD by presenting information on attention and time

Design of a wearable device that supports self-awareness in children with ADHD by presenting information on attention and time

De Bruyckere, H.W.A.

Keyson, D.V. (mentor)
Jimenez, J.C. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

Design Conceptualization and Communication

2013-01-25

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed developmental disorder, affecting between 3 to 5 percent of children worldwide. Characteristics of ADHD are hyperactivity, inattention, impulsiveness and lack of self-control. Current research shows an increased interest in the perception of time in children with ADHD and some believe it is the ground on which the characteristics build. Children with ADHD can experience problems at school as well as in social settings because they are easily distracted and have difficulty focusing on one task or a conversation. For a child with ADHD to be able to adjust its behaviour, it needs almost constant feedback and encouragement from caregivers. Next to medical treatment, behavioural therapy is available to make the symptoms less disruptive. It is believed to only work as it provides motivation to the child as the child does have the skills but has difficulty showing it. Current products for children with ADHD lack as these do not provide this much needed motivation. The required feedback is often sent too late while children with ADHD need feedback on their behaviour at the point of performance, on the spot. A Personal Informatics system, a tool that collects and displays personal data for the purpose of self-reflection and self-monitoring, can support children with ADHD. By collection personal information about their behaviour and presenting information on it to children to reflect upon, they can increase their self-awareness and adjust their behaviour accordingly. Observing children with ADHD at school and interviewing them, their parents and teachers showed the need for support in classes they work independently. Teacher nor the child itself is able to provide the motivation needed and together with their uncertainty about time this leaves them inattentive for large periods of time. The designed bracelet offers a Personal Informatics system which presents information on time and attention to increase on-task behaviour. The bracelet is worn during the day and used in classes with independent work. Time is presented, showing the child how much time is left and creating a reminder to work. When the child gets distracted, his or her amount of movement will increase. An accelerometer inside the device measures the movement of the non-dominant wrist and gives a signal as soon as the child shows signs of inattention. First stopping the distracting allows children to reflect on what they should be doing. To allow deeper reflection, colours show after class how well the child did. The child is motivated to improve its behaviour as it influence the score shown on the bracelet. These different kinds of reflection complement each other and support self-awareness. Where the bracelet provides options for short-term reflection, an additional software program at home allows more long-term reflection. A prototype to test the reflection on presented information is made. Three children participated and were able to reflect on their own behaviour using the device. They enjoyed wearing and using it and were motivated to change their behaviour in order to get a good score. The design of this device shows what is possible to achieve for children with ADHD by using a Personal Informatics system. Hopefully this project works as an inspiration for other designers to use tools like this more often for similar target groups as it can support them greatly.

ADHD
Personal Informatics

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1a758075-49b5-45d0-b54e-1eaa1c3c9409

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2013 De Bruyckere, H.W.A.