'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

[Visionary7903]

In an earlier post, I mentioned a new adjustable pressure vest for children with disorders such as Autism, the Vayu vest. Another new product (expected to launch in Fall 2012), working on similar principles, is the the Snug vest. The Snug vest, formerly known as the BearHug vest, was invented by Lisa Fraser…

…red dot: What motivated you to design the [vest]?
Lisa Fraser: I wanted to design a product that could improve the quality of everyday life for children living with autism. After working in classrooms with autistic children, I discovered weighted vests being used to sooth and calm children with autism. After researching Deep Pressure Therapy and discovering current products being used such as the weighted vest, I was unhappy with the current solutions and wanted to provide something more effective, user-friendly, and delightful to help this user group.
…The Snug Vest is also a great name as it appeals to a broader group as we will have the vest available for adults as well as children in the future…

…As a student, Fraser worked as a swimming instructor for children with special needs. Her first product, which is scheduled to hit the market later this year, is … an inflatable vest for providing adjustable and evenly-distributed pressure which is integrated with a garment to look fashionable.
…“In five years, this product is going to be available to everybody who needs it worldwide,” Fraser said. “And we’re going to expand the market beyond autism. There are so many people with stress, anxiety and attention problems who can benefit from this product…”

Indeed Deep Pressure Therapy over a long period of time is said to help in desensitising a hypersensitive tactile system, thus making it helpful for disorders like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), via its lowering of hypervigilance and induction of a calming effect.

A study on the vest’s effects is currently being undertaken in British Columbia, Canada…

…The effects of the Snug Vest with an A-B-A-B-A withdrawal design study led by researcher Kayla Ten Eycke at the University of Victoria will be in soon, so stay tuned for the results!..

A-B-A-B-A withdrawal design represents an attempt to measure a baseline (the first A), a treatment measurement (the first B), the withdrawal of treatment (the second A), the re-introduction of treatment (the second B), and a final withdrawal of treatment (the third A).

(sources: red dot online: “red dot award: design concept” winner’s interview series;Rising Medical Device Inventor Connects With BCIT to Improve Her Product | Applied Research; Squeezease Therapy - Clinical Support; Research Methods - ABAB Design in AllPsych Online)