Language is social. The inclusive communication device for the classroom will emphasize communicating personality and emotion, as a priority over needs based and academic communication.
All behavior is communication. The inclusive communication device will make use of and bring attention to the existing communication abilities of each child.
The system will utilize and reinforce the child’s existing means of communication.
The system will use emotional communication that is not linguistic to increase the range of expression and add authenticity.
The system will empower the child to express their personality and social identity.
Issues:
Adherence
If the splint is uncomfortable or difficult to put on, it will not be worn
Straightening
Splint needs to apply enough corrective force to straighten the contracture
Fit
Custom splints are difficult to fabricate, off-the-shelf splints are difficult to fit
Comfort, Health
Splints cause pain and discomfort because pressure is uneven
Criteria:
1. Flexible Material combined w/ effective extension moment (Straightening)
2. Low profile, not interfere with activities of daily living (Adherence)
3. Comfortable, held in place by circumferential tension (Adherence, Comfort)
4. Form fitting for variety of finger sizes and still easy to don (Adherence, Fit)
5. Pressure diffused over the whole finger (Adherence,Comfort)
6. Permit visual monitoring of skin health and circulation (Adherence, Comfort)
In order to organize the huge amount of information that came out of the research phase of the project, and to communicate better with Garrett's team I put together this chart describing what I'd found and how I wanted to move forward. It turned out to be very helpful, because often when discussing the project with people who were not as involved as me, it was important for me to be able to quickly catch them up and help them understand the issues.