Summary.
Problem: Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder or caregivers of high support needs people with ASD struggle to navigate society due to not having the proper information.
Insight: Physical stimuli like bright lights, crowded lobbies, and warm rooms can be very overwhelming for people with ASD, but unexpected stimuli are much worse
Opportunity: Fill the white space left by current map apps that cater to the concerns of neurotypical people.
The White Space
We Discovered:
Through in-depth interviews, we learned that physical stimuli that would be mildly noticeable for most people can drastically affect the experience of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Specifically…
Crowd Density
Brightness of Lighting
Room Temperature
Unfamiliar Floor Plans
Noise Levels
So…
Just like how Apple and Google Maps track wait times and product reviews, we felt there should be an app that allows people with ASD to properly prepare for facing potential triggers.
Sensory Forecast
This service design app is a highly customizable maps alternative that is designed with people with ASD in mind. It uses a combination of user provided and mobile tracking data to grade public venues by how overwhelming they will be for people with Autism.
This app was created for Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards. Our idea came together after we conducted multiple in-depth interviews with adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We wanted to ensure that our app encompassed as many often overlooked aspects of living with ASD as possible.We were specifically interested in learning how much responsibility to safely navigate public forums falls on the individual.
Key Features
User Specific Profiles
Everybody’s triggers are different. Through the use of a brief survey, Sensory Forecast is able to understand the specific environmental factors that lead to poor experiences. Using this information, the app can accurately grade venues based on preference.
Highly Customizable User Interface
Sensory Forecast is designed to be completely tailored to the user experience. Things like colors and fonts can be highly distressing to people with ASD. We researched the most commonly accepted autism friendly options and gave our audience the ability to choose what best suits their needs.
Written Communication
In order to be as clear as possible, effort was put in to ensure that all language presented in-app avoided any use of metaphors. Additionally, graphics were carefully selected and only used when they were necessary to clarify information.
Data Collection
When possible, data will be collected through partnerships with Google and Apple as well as opt-in device management. Many of the data we need is already tracked, just used for different purposes. When it comes to subjective matters, such as lighting and room temperature, we will rely on user submitted feedback from people with ASD and allies of the community.
