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Problem
Many individuals with ASD struggle to step out of their comfort zone to meet new people and make friends due to communication challenges, such as interpreting social cues and verbal expression, which can lead to social isolation. The challenge is to design an approach that helps guide them in forming connections by fostering a sense of mutual understanding and bonding with peers.
Project Type
UXUI Design
Interaction Design
Time Length
June 2023 - Nov 2023
Solution & Goal
SyncMind is a music co-creation application designed to reduces the discomfort of forming new connections by providing a fun, structured, and sensory-friendly environment that enhance the social experiences of individuals with ASD. The goal is to make it easier and more enjoyable for them to connect with peers through synchronous music creation and sharing.
My Role
Worked as a sole designer on
UX Research: User interviews, secondary research, usability testings
UXUI Design: Wireframes, user flows, prototyping, animation design
Team
6 Full - stack developers
2 Founders of TRI
Tools
DISCOVER
Increasing Diagnoses
In 2023, autism diagnoses rises up to 1 in 36 children.
The data is expected to remain consistent through 2024.
THE TOP 3 NEEDS
Ecosystem Map
The ecosystem map indicates that the most directly related and effective therapists, as well as family and friends, have not offered assistance to individuals with ASD in building friendships.
Challenges
1.
The current therapies often lack encouragement for the autism community to initiate friendships.
2.
The diverse function variability in autism spectrum disorder makes relationships and communication more complex.
Assumptions
Encouraging cooperation among subdivided small groups during group activities can efficiently help individuals with autism spectrum disorder get to know new people.
Avoiding too much rapid contact with unfamiliar individuals can reduce sensory overload.
3 INTERVIEW GROUPS
To justify the assumptions and to gain a comprehensive insight into the social dynamics of individuals with autism, as well as current treatment methods, communication strategies, and popular therapeutic activities, I conducted interviews with three distinct groups: individuals with autism aged 10-20, behavioral therapists, and leaders of volunteering organizations.
Tools
Via Zoom and Meetup
Interviewees
Individuals with autism
Behavioral therapists
Volunteering organization leads
Goal
To gain a comprehensive understanding of improving friendship and treatment methods.
Interview with individuals with autism
For interviewees on the autism spectrum, I developed a Social Network Brainstorm drawing toolkit. This encourages them to visually map their life's relationships, providing insights into their interactions and identifying the roles they are most comfortable with.
Click to see the entire toolkit
These images were taken by the interviewees during our meetings.
WANTS & NEEDS
Seeks new connections within the autism community for a stronger sense of belonging.
Wishes for increased trust from family and friends in group settings.
FRUSTRATIONS
Feels embarrassment meeting new people when there are people around.
Frustrated by excessive attention due to treatments and special care.
Interview with therapists and organization leads
Therapists and community organizers received interview questionnaires before the Zoom meetings. The frequently mentioned key ideas are categorized into the following 3 highlights:
Effective Group Therapy / Activity
Building Trust
Progressive Learning and Accepting New
Key Takeaways
- The most time-consuming aspect of group sessions is organizing participants to minimize confrontation in dynamic spectrum functions.
- Trust builds through gradual learning and giving.
Insights
Interview Insights & Visions
The autistic community can gradually form friendships through collaborative music creation, fostering a sense of belonging.
PROTOTYPE ANATOMY
Prototype
Share Your Music Lab with The Other 1 or 2
For Phase 2 Users
Create With 3+ People
For Phase 3 Users
New Creations Refreshed in Real-Time
Reflections
Reflections & Next Steps
STAKEHOLDER MAP
The influential stakeholders assessment shows that the contributions and activities often involve one-way interactions rather than two-way engagement. For the next steps, the project will be introduced into school settings to raise awareness of mental health and encourage more interactive design opportunities.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Revisiting my previous interviewee Shuruo.
This image belongs to Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults founded by Katie Oswald
While the current design centers on connecting individuals with autism who share similar functional traits on the spectrum, the next phase includes inviting the neurotypical community to participate in the ongoing prototype testing process.
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