Styleguide

Project overview

This project aimed to design an inclusive toothbrush specifically for 6-year-old children with Down Syndrome who are developing their independence in daily activities.

Problem and opportunity

Traditional toothbrushes can be challenging for children with Down Syndrome due to fine motor skill limitations. This can lead to frustration and hinder their ability to establish self-care routines. The project sought to create an affordable and user-centered toothbrush solution that promotes independence and a positive self-image.

Understanding the user

The project focuses on 6-year-old children with Down syndrome. At this stage, their developmental progress typically corresponds to that of a 3-year-old child without the condition.

Key user challenges

Physical Characteristics: Short limbs and fingers, broad hands, low-set thumbs, a small mouth with a proportionally large tongue, lax ligaments and hypotonia (reduced muscle tone), and varying degrees of physical anomalies and intellectual disability.

Fine Motor Skill Deficiencies: Children with Down Syndrome often experience challenges with fine motor skills, which can hinder their ability to effectively hold and manipulate some objects like a comb, toothbrush or a piece of cutlery

Emotional responses: Difficulty with tasks can lead to feelings of impulsivity, frustration, and even depression.

Benefits

The Power of an inclusive design approach

This toothbrush isn't just about cleaning teeth – it's about empowering children with Down syndrome to take charge of their oral hygiene routines. Here's how an inclusive design approach makes a difference:

Less Frustration, More Confidence

This toothbrush is designed to help kids with Down syndrome grip and maneuver it better. This makes brushing easier, reducing frustration and boosting their confidence in taking care of their teeth themselves.

Practice Makes Perfect

Just like everyone else, kids with Down syndrome need practice to master brushing their teeth. This toothbrush helps them practice effectively, building the skills they need for good oral hygiene.

Starting Point: Personal Hygiene

Brushing teeth is a key part of taking care of yourself. This toothbrush helps children with Down syndrome learn this important habit, giving them a great foundation for a healthy self-care routine.

Step 1

Empathize: Understanding the Needs

Research

Initial Exploration: An initial internet search on Down syndrome provided a foundational understanding of the condition, particularly regarding common developmental aspects.

Targeted Interviews: The internet gave me a good starting point, but I knew there was more to it. So, I talked to parents, caregivers, and people who know kids with Down syndrome well. Hearing about their daily struggles and what they wanted for these kids helped me dig deeper.

Analysis

Gathered interview data, along with the initial internet research findings, were meticulously organized and analyzed to identify key themes and opportunities to improve their quality of life.The analysis revealed a clear connection between fine motor skill limitations and challenges with oral hygiene routines, impacting self-confidence.

Step 2

Define: User Needs and Solutions

Problem Statement:

Solution Strategy:

Design a toothbrush that facilitates practice and promotes independent oral hygiene routines, thereby boosting confidence and fostering a sense of accomplishment. By starting with oral hygiene, one of the first self-care skills children learn, we can empower them with a sense of accomplishment and build a strong foundation for a healthy self-care journey.

Step 3

Prototype: Bringing the Solution to Life

Field research:

Due to the lack of readily available anthropometric data for the hands of children with Down syndrome in this age group, the research employed the following methods:

Collaboration: Contacting the director of an inclusive school to gain access to the target user group.

Educator Insights: Conferring with teachers to understand the challenges they observe in this population.

Parental Consent: Obtaining permission from parents for their children to participate in the study.

Playful Interaction: Engaging with the children in a fun and respectful manner to gather necessary hand, finger, mouth, and palm measurements.

Ideation & Development:

Creative exploration techniques like "Crazy8" were used to generate a multitude of design concepts.Sketches, 3D modeling, and detailed product drawings brought the most promising ideas to life, allowing for iterative refinement and testing, ensuring the final design was not only creative but also effective.

Design solution

Universal Grip: The comfortable handle design is perfect for left and right-handed users, with varying motor skills. The ergonomic shape ensures a secure and comfortable grip. For children who are still developing hand strength or have difficulty gripping, a detachable hand grip can be easily attached, providing additional support and making brushing easier.

Enhanced Control: A thicker handle provides improved control and handling.

Deeper Clean: The straight extension facilitates thorough brushing, reaching all areas of the mouth effectively.

Sustainable Choice: This non-disposable toothbrush reduces waste with replaceable brush heads, promoting environmental responsibility.

Brushing Made Easy: The toothbrush offers both electric and mechanical versions. Both versions feature a built-in timer with gentle vibrations that guide children through the recommended brushing time and hand movement. The toothbrush automatically stops when time is up, fostering a sense of accomplishment and healthy habits.

Inclusive toothbrush: