title: Design projects motivated and informed by the needs of severely disabled autistic children.
abstract: Technology can positively impact the lives of severely disabled autistic children if used to (a) gather situational awareness data regarding their health, development, and behavior and (b) assist them with learning and day-to-day activities. This paper summarizes student design projects in the Kansas State University (KSU) College of Engineering that are motivated and informed by the needs of severely disabled children at Heartspring, Wichita, KS. These efforts are supported through the National Science Foundation's General and Age-Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) program. Projects relate thematically to (1) facets of a bed sensor system that unobtrusively tracks nighttime health parameters and child activity and (2) miscellaneous resources geared toward paraeducator ("para") and child well-being and development.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Punit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Bala
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Natarajan
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brokesh
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Piersel
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kesterson
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stoffregen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001450:Ballistocardiography; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004738:Engineering; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010092:Oximetry; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D059015:Wireless Technology; D055815:Young Adult