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Team develops focus desk for special needs boy

Shared by Ana Duarte on 2019-06-13 08:36

About the solution

Matthew’s school desk was a hurdle in his learning. The specialist team that deals with the boy’s angry behaviours were not able to get him to do things and learn, as he was always distracted. Matthew’s family was not able to find a desk on the market that would meet his needs, and they couldn’t design a desk themselves.

That’s when they met Bob Woolf, Eileen Bloustien and Janet Garner, from the charity May We Help (an organisation that develops gadgets to increase the autonomy level of disabled people).

This team created a custom focus desk, which design specifically addresses sensory issues with positioning, enclosure, colours, and lighting to provide a more productive learning setting.

They used the following material: CNCed commercial grade plywood, foam cushion fabric seat and lighting strips around black laminate desktop.

Matthew got his new desk in 2013 and everyone was happy with this new solution. “Finding a desk for a child with so many needs, it was just not out there anywhere. We looked everyplace and no one had all the things made into one desk that would work. Our son is now seated at the appropriate angle needed for a child with his disabilities; he is comfortable and cannot run off when working, and most importantly with his visual impairment the red lighting on a black background and built-in slant board makes it possible for our son to see and focus on his work task. Our son can now see his work task and focus on his work, comfortable and appropriately seated. It is excellent, we are very pleased”, his mother observed.

Adapted from: https://bit.ly/2KeFMSL

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Bob Woolf, Eileen Bloustien and Janet Garner, from the USA, built a focus desk for Matthew, a boy with special sensory needs who has a hard time learning at school.

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