Adaptive And Sensory-Friendly Apparel For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

In recent years, there has been a rise in air travel as the preferred mode of long-distance transportation for both business and leisure. However, airlines are ill-equipped to accommodate the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, creating an unenjoyable experience for the child, the family and other passengers. For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the entire process from packing to reaching final destination is riddled with stress and anxiety. From the moment a child is introduced to the idea of travelling, there are many environmental checkpoints that can trigger the child and induce a change in behavior. This may occur at home, at the airport check-in counter, through security lines, boarding and finally inside the airplane. These triggers can be large crowds, unpredictable behavior of others, intimidating machines, loud noises and small spaces within the cabin. This thesis proposes an in-depth study of these various environments and aims to collect data by conducting observational studies, as well as interviews and surveys in compliance with the Research Ethics Board. The objective is to compile a detailed analysis of this data and enhance the physical, auditory and visual air travel experience for children with ASD. To understand the feasibility of this concept, a one-to-one scale buck will be developed to aid in the evaluation of ergonomics, human factors and full-bodied human interaction design. This will lead to a developed solution that enhances the air travel experience for children with ASD and provides a deeper understanding of the ways in which air travel can be made more accessible.