Rethinking the feeding experience for children with Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
CLIENT: Move To Learn Lab, STAR Campus
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) affects approximately 1 in 3,000 individuals in the United States. As a case study, we focused on the feeding process of young children with AMC who cannot use conventional spoons and bowls for eating.
I created a working prototype of an on-the-go snacker that clamps to most tables, wheelchairs, and car seats that uses their chin to operate the bowl for independent eating without needing to bend their elbows.
Team members include Jordan Sawyer, Caleb Trotter and Abigail Phillips
Through user research We collected qualitative data through observations, surveys, interviews with children, parents, therapists and surgeons to learn more about the effects on children & caregivers
The most important thing for these children and parents was gaining independence
IDEATION & Rapid Prototyping
Final Prototyping & Testing
This design is about redefining where the bowl lives.
The first version of this prototype was designed for children who were affected in their arms and elbows but had good shoulder and upper back mobility. Since most parents wanted independence for their kids, this prototype was designed to be filled with any bite sized snack that the child could eat by raising and lowering their arm without needing to bend their elbows or grip a spoon.
After more testing we found that there was a huge need for an on-the-go feeder.
These families spend a lot of time in the car, on the way to physical therapy and doctor appointments, and anytime they are out the tables are often different heights. This shifted the design of the prototype to include a compressed spring topper and a gooseneck clip clamp. The topper allows kids to use their chin to operate the bowl and the clamp allowed the bowl to be attached to any surface, like car seat, wheel chair or table, and then bent depending on the child's specific needs.
