AsNest
About
AsNest is an app specifically designed to provide inclusive support to parents and families with autistic children. We acknowledge that autism doesn't solely impact autistic children but also their loved ones. The app offers features to assist families in coping with the stress and anxiety they may experience collectively.
Type
Individual Project
Location
Berkeley, CA
Year
2022
Length
10 week
00
Background
What comes to mind when you think about autism?
User Journey
Primary Design Objectives
When we first discussed young parents, what was your initial impression? Before diving into the project, we conducted thorough research to gain objective insights that would help us better understand our users.
Do you only picture autistic children?
However, autism impacts entire families, from the autistic children to their parents and siblings. They, too, experience stress, anxiety, and pressure from society but are often left out of support systems.
User Journey
Primary Design Objectives
When we first discussed young parents, what was your initial impression? Before diving into the project, we conducted thorough research to gain objective insights that would help us better understand our users.
Autism Family
Growing up in an autism family, I saw my grandparents and my mom tirelessly caring for my uncle. They rarely traveled and had little time for themselves, following a fixed daily schedule.
Their unwavering dedication and sacrifices inspired me deeply. Despite the stress and pressure they faced, they often felt left out of support systems.
Their selflessness motivates me to create a support system that recognizes and honors their efforts. I want to make a difference and offer inclusive support to families like ours.
01
Problem
Too Much Stress
My family is part of this vast group. Stress significantly impacts their lives, both mentally and physically. Studies reveal that parents of a child with ASD experience decreased parenting efficacy, increased parenting stress, and mental and physical health problems.
As parents, their primary focus is on meeting their children's needs, often overlooking their own well-being. Highly stressed parents face challenges in adhering to their children's behavior plans and implementing autism interventions. Addressing parents' well-being is crucial in providing the best care and support to their children.
I can't say that the stress is any less now than it was when my son was 3 years old.
02
Interview
Jane, Mom of 2 kids, one is an autistic child.
Alice, Mom of an autistic child.
Xing, Mom of an autistic child.
June, Doctor, researcher on autism, has one autistic child.
With 3 Moms and 1 Expert
Then, I spoke with three moms and one expert to gain valuable insights into the underlying causes of their pain points.
Quotes
My husband and I used to visit the psychologist once a month. However, now we don't have time to do that anymore.
I want to take some online courses, but the prices are too high. Most of my sources are more like public welfare, providing accessible and affordable options for learning.
We learned autism-related knowledge from therapists and communities. Currently, there is no app designed specifically for autism parents.
User Journey
Primary Design Objectives
When we first discussed young parents, what was your initial impression? Before diving into the project, we conducted thorough research to gain objective insights that would help us better understand our users.
Quotes
My husband and I used to visit the psychologist once a month. However, now we don't have time to do that anymore.
We learned autism-related knowledge from therapists and communities. Currently, there is no app designed specifically for autism parents.
I want to take some online courses, but the prices are too high. Most of my sources are more like public welfare, providing accessible and affordable options for learning.
03
Main Theme
Family-Centered Care
After conducting thorough research, I have chosen family-centered care as the main theme for my design.
Family-centered care emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with parents through mutual respect and open communication. It involves adapting to the changing needs and priorities of the family and giving parents the autonomy to make choices and control treatment decisions.
04
Solutions
Causes of Stress
After learning about the stress experienced by these individuals, we can identify two main sources: external and internal factors. External factors include societal expectations, financial pressures, work-related stress, family dynamics, and the challenges of caring for an autistic child.
On the other hand, internal factors encompass emotions, coping mechanisms, and the demands of their caregiving role. Understanding these factors is crucial for providing effective support.
Coping Strategies
Coping modes of problem focus and emotional focus are commonly used by autistic parents to deal with daily challenges. Problem focus coping involves actively addressing specific issues and seeking practical solutions, while emotional focus coping entails managing emotional responses through self-care and seeking support. Understanding these coping strategies is crucial in providing tailored support to parents in their caregiving journey.
Opportunities
As I explored the existing products for autism, I noticed a lack of options specifically designed for autism parents, particularly in the form of apps. This observation leads to the question:
How might we create an app tailored to autism parents, primarily focused on helping them overcome stigma, prioritize their mental health, and provide various forms of support—both informational and psychological?
04
Final Design
Description
Introducing AsNest, the indispensable app for parents with autistic children. At AsNest, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive support to parents and families with autistic children. We recognize that autism impacts not only the children but also their loved ones.
Our goal to provide features that help families cope with the stress and anxiety they may encounter on their journey.
Design Guidelines
Design for accessibility
Inclusive design describes methodologies to create products that understand and enable people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusive design may address accessibility, age, culture, economic situation, education, gender, geographic location, language, and race.
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Stick to active voice
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Avoid metaphors
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Format your writing
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Use descriptive buttons
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Visual indicators
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Be careful with animations
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Consistency + Hierarchy
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Stick to sans serif typefaces
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Avoid autoplay
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Add subtitles and captions
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Keep a safe distance
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Make it large enough
Branding
Logo Guideline
Logo
Illustrations
Personalised stress-relief activities and lessons
The onboarding process helps us better understand the needs of ASD parents. Through this process, parents can customize their goals, and the platform will assist in personalizing their lessons and activities accordingly.
User Interface
User Interface
User Interface
User Interface
Personalised stress-relief activities and lessons
The onboarding process helps us better understand the needs of ASD parents. Through this process, parents can customize their goals, and the platform will assist in personalizing their lessons and activities accordingly.
Family bonding games
To foster family bonding and promote cognitive development in autistic children, AsNest includes a range of built-in games. These interactive games engage the entire family, making daily activities more enjoyable while honing the cognitive skills of autistic children.
Family bonding games
To foster family bonding and promote cognitive development in autistic children, AsNest includes a range of built-in games. These interactive games engage the entire family, making daily activities more enjoyable while honing the cognitive skills of autistic children.
Inclusive community for autism parents
We believe that no parent should navigate the challenges of autism alone. AsNest provides dedicated platforms for connecting with other parents of children with ASD, medical professionals, and experts. This community-driven support system offers valuable insights, advice, and assistance, creating a sense of camaraderie in managing autism together.
Inclusive community for autism parents
We believe that no parent should navigate the challenges of autism alone. AsNest provides dedicated platforms for connecting with other parents of children with ASD, medical professionals, and experts. This community-driven support system offers valuable insights, advice, and assistance, creating a sense of camaraderie in managing autism together.
