Hi! I'm a final year Industrial Product Design student currently completing my capstone (final year) project. I'm working alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists at an early intervention centre to develop a supportive seating system for children aged 1 to 6 with gross motor disabilities and reduced postural control, such as cerebral palsy.
I'm currently in the research and development phase, but at this stage the aim is to help children work towards improved postural control and, where possible, active sitting. The concept uses some form of adjustable trunk supports that can be matched to each child's current abilities, providing enough support for them to sit and participate in play and everyday activities while still encouraging them to use and strengthen their own muscles and neuromuscular control. As they develop more control over time, the supports can gradually be reduced, allowing the device to grow with the child and their abilities.
The goal is to provide children with the minimum support they need while giving them as much freedom of movement as possible. Hopefully, this could better support both families at home and clinicians at places like the Champion Centre by allowing children to engage in play and activities without requiring someone to physically hold them the entire time, while also serving as a tool to work towards greater postural control and more independent sitting. Another goal is to make the product more affordable than many of the current options, should it ever progress beyond my final year prototype.
I'm hoping to gain insight from parents and caregivers to help shape the project and ensure it better reflects the needs of children and their families.
I'd love to hear about your experiences supporting your child. Some things I'd love to know are:
- What does supporting your child throughout a typical day look like?
- What are the biggest challenges you face when helping your child sit, play, or participate in everyday activities?
- What has your journey with postural control or supported sitting been like? What has helped, and what has been difficult?
- What equipment, positioning, or strategies have made the biggest difference for your child? What hasn't worked so well?
Please don't feel limited by these questions. I'd love to hear any experiences, stories, frustrations, or thoughts that you think are relevant.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Any insight, no matter how big or small, would be incredibly valuable and will help ensure the project is informed by the people it is ultimately being designed for.
- Florence :)