Cradle

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This is our child model/test subject who, as the video clip...

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:20:00 +1200

This is our child model/test subject who, as the video clip shows, found the chair to be extremely comfortable. He weighs around 25 kg and demonstrates perfectly that his size and weight are well suited for the chair just as an adult. We also had Grace and Isaac in the chair together showing its potential as a place of parent child bonding. Thank you very much Isaac for you time and help in the creation of this object.

Evaluation

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:20:00 +1200

We have called our rocking chair “cradle” as is epitomises what the chair is all about. It is about creating a safe, comfortable and relaxing enviroment in which the user can dissipate the overstimulation of their senses. The design was heavily directed by a synthesis of research into Autisim and children with Rythmic Movement Disorder (RMD) as well as saftey, sustainability, function and aesthetics. The chair adheares to the concept “if you design for the extremes and the middle will sort itself out,” while we had a stong focus creating a solution for sufferers of RMD the chair is not exclusively for them and will bring relaxation, comfort and calmness to homes with this desirable chair.

The chair references Ikea funiture ideaology and is designed to be a flatpack; minimising packaging and transportation waste. Cradle is manufactured from reusable and environmentally friendly raw materials including the glue used to form the intial plywood layers.

The ‘Cradle’ rocking chair is more than just a solution to a problem, it is literally a home within a home.

Money

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:10:00 +1200

To pay to Eamons account:

EB Moore

010778-0025524-30

Richard- $11.36

Grace- $32.10

Brodie- $7.10

Eamon- $28.10

This money is then to be payed to:

Kahlivia- $34.90

Joya- $25.90

Jeremy- $17.90

Additionally: Jeremy and brodie you both need to pay $13.90 each to Eamon for the plywood. This was not worked included with the costs above.

Please everyone pay asap and post your account numbers so Eamon can sort out the payments.

K R

(Side note: I (Joya) have paid the $13.90 already earlier this week in cash)

Final stages of constructing our chair. The wooden...

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:10:00 +1200

Final stages of constructing our chair. The wooden ‘slats’ in between the bent ply sections provide the chair with strength and structure as well as making sure no little fingers will get caught when rocking. The aesthetics of this slating is also very beautiful and gives hints at old boat making techniques.

This is a quick test of both visual aesthetics, size and rocking...

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:35:00 +1200

This is a quick test of both visual aesthetics, size and rocking functionality, all three elements proved to be successful, although we did find that there was a very large amount of tension on the two connection points. We would have to factor this tension into our more permanent connection.

Money

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:02:00 +1200

This is what I have spent:

$22.00 at the Warehouse for the padding

$30.00 for fabric to make the cushions

$9.00 for more padding from Salvation Army

Total: $61.00

Account details:

Account Holder Name: J A H Boerrigter

Bank Account Number: 02-0432-0021630-083

(Joya)

side note to Joya - this has all been accounted for. Eamon will be putting money into your account (think its like $25.90) once everyone has paid the right amount to him. Then everyone will be equal.

More rocking chair therapy research

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1200

Website: http://www.rockingchairtherapy.org/research.html#m_sens

Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) - SIT is a theory used by occupational therapists. It is one approach used by therapists as part of a comprehensive and individualized intervention program. Its principles have been recommended for and applied to autism learning disabilities, attention problems, and developmental problems like Fragile X. Rocking in a rocking chair is one of the calming activities that are recommended. Sensory integration intervention is based on a neurophysiological view of autism. The late A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D. of the US developed the theory and practice of sensory integration. She believed every autistic child should have a rocker in his room.

Research Part 2

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:59:00 +1200

This post is about therapies that are used to supposedly increase quality of life for people with autism. (Examples of rather terrible therapies to support our product as a good alternative)

Website: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673607613221

Packing

In packing, children are wrapped tightly for up to an hour in wet sheets that have been refrigerated, with only their heads left free. The treatment is repeated several times a week, and can continue for years. It is intended as treatment for autistic children who harm themselves; most of these children cannot speak. Similar envelopment techniques have been used for centuries, such as to calm violent patients in Germany in the 19th century; its modern use in France began in the 1960s, based on psychoanalytic theories such as the theory of the refridgerator mother. Packing is currently used in hundreds of French clinics. There is no scientific evidence for the effectiveness of packing, and some concern about risk of adverse health effects.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation_therapy#Autism

Chelation Therapy

Based on the speculation that heavy metal poisoning may trigger the symptoms of autism, particularly in small subsets of individuals who cannot excrete toxins effectively, some parents have turned to alternative medicine practitioners who provide detoxification treatments via Chelation therapy. However, evidence to support this practice has been anecdotal and not rigorous. Strong epidemiological evidence refutes links between environmental triggers, in particular thimerosal containing vaccines, and the onset of autistic symptoms. No scientific data supports the claim that the mercury in the vaccine preservative thiomersal causes autism or its symptoms, and there is no scientific support for chelation therapy as a treatment for autism.

Chelation therapy can be hazardous. In August 2005, an incorrect form of EDTA used for chelation therapy resulted in hypocalcemia, causing cardiac arrest that killed a five-year-old autistic boy. Thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) is hypothesized to act as a chelating agent in children with autism. A 2002 pilot study administered TTFD rectally to ten autism spectrum children, and found beneficial clinical effect. This study has not been replicated, and a 2006 review of thiamine by the same author did not mention thiamine’s possible effect on autism.There is not sufficient evidence to support the use of thiamine (vitamin B₁) to treat autism.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is an alternative medical practice whose main hypothesis is that mechanical disorders of the spine affect general health via the nervous system, and whose main treatment is spinal manipulation. A significant portion of the profession rejects vaccination, as traditional chiropractic philosophy equates vaccines to poison.Most chiropractic writings on vaccination focus on its negative aspects, claiming that it is hazardous, ineffective, and unnecessary, and in some cases suggesting that vaccination causes autism or that chiropractors should be the primary contact for treatment of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Chiropractic treatment has not been shown to be effective for medical conditions other than back pain, and there is insufficient scientific evidence to make conclusions about chiropractic care for autism.

Criticisms:

There are extensive criticisms of cranialsacral therapy from the scientific and health care professions as to the validity and efficacy of Cranial Type techniques and principles. The following criticisms are cited against this form of therapy.

Lack of evidence cranialsacral therapy provides a therapeutic benefit

Lack of evidence for the existence of “cranial bone movement”:

Scientific evidence does not support the theories for cranial bone movement claimed by craniosacral practitioners. This research shows that partial fusion between cranial bones occurs during growth and development.

Lack of evidence for the existence of the “cranial rhythm”:

While evidence exists for cerebrospinal fluid pulsation, one study states it is caused by the functioning of the cardiovascular system and not by the workings of the craniosacral system.

Lack of evidence linking “cranial rhythm” to disease:

Research to date to support the link between the “cranial rhythm” and general health is cited as “low grade” and “unacceptable to meet scientific measures”.

Lack of evidence “cranial rhythm” is detectable by practitioner

Conclusion: It seems like people with autism are almost used as “Guinea Pigs” to discover new methods to manage their condition. The upsetting factor is: most of these “experiments” are often less than effective and even result to death in a few cases. It’s all rather disturbing that these people are being pushed to this extreme point and that some of the options that are diagnosed as uneffective, are still implemented today.

Our final form coming together.

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:43:00 +1200

Our final form coming together.

Research

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:41:00 +1200

Website: http://www.oht.org.uk/sensoryissues.html

This source mentions that a “Back and forth, side to side, or up and down linear movement, such as a rocking chair, can be calming.”

Website: http://www.rockingchairtherapy.org/research.html

Fragile X - Fragile X is a family of genetic conditions which impacts individuals and families in different ways. Fragile X Syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental impairment and is sometimes referred to as Mental Retardation. Sensory impairment or sensory processing difficulties are often a part of the puzzle. Rocking in a rocking chair is a recommended part of therapy, cited for its calming effects.

In September of 2006, The American Library Association offered a workshop at their annual conference entitled “Welcoming Special Needs Children at Your Library”. Lindsey Biel OCR/L, presenter and co-author of Raising a Sensory Smart Child suggests incorporating rocking chairs into the environment for it’s soothing and repetitive motion for children with a range of disorders.

In September of 2006, The American Library Association offered a workshop at their annual conference entitled “Welcoming Special Needs Children at Your Library”. Lindsey Biel OCR/L, presenter and co-author of Raising a Sensory Smart Child, suggests incorporating rocking chairs into the environment for it’s soothing and repetitive motion for children with a range of disorders.

Website: http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/about/news/rocking_pod.php

Rocking Pod for Autistic Children

Harry Bullivant, former JCR President, was one of a team who designed a ‘rocking chair’ that helps to calm autistic children. Other team members were Clare Stevenson and Camilla Winfield. The pod, on display at the University’s Institute for Manufacturing Design show, is a semi-enclosed chair. Once inside, the child is shielded from upsetting noise and excess visual stimuli. Primarily designed for use in schools, it offers a calming retreat. Harry, Clare and Camilla wanted to design something of real and practical help, and realised there was a growing need for products which could improve the quality of life for people with autism and for their carers. The pod has been put into use already and has been praised as effecting ‘dramatic results’.

Website: http://www.autism-pdd.net/what-is-autism.html

“Autism Symptoms vary widely in severity, include impairment in social interaction, fixation on inanimate objects”