Columbia Technology Ventures

Assistive soap dispenser for hygiene independence

This technology is an accessible soap and liquid dispenser designed to teach hygiene skills to children with autism spectrum disorder.

Unmet Need: Minimize caregiver aid while teaching hygiene skills in autism spectrum disorder

Current methods to teach and maintain daily living skills, including handwashing, to children with autism spectrum disorder requires caregiver supervision. Since 90% of children with autism spectrum disorder struggle with daily living skills, especially task sequence dependent behaviors, technology is needed to assist and maintain independent hygiene skills. Technology, such as automatic dispensers, are on the market, however these tools are not tailored to the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

The Technology: Assistive dispenser for independent hygiene skill building in autism spectrum disorder

This technology, called budDLS, Buddy for Daily Living Skills, is an assistive dispenser for children with autism spectrum disorder to learn independent daily living skills. budDLS teaches handwashing skills through a built in LED task analysis screen with a locked dispenser and combination reservoir. This self-initiated device guides the user through an LED screen to demonstrate sequence of hygiene steps. This minimizes caregiver intervention and builds independence in hygiene task completion for children with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, this device is reliable and provides consistent soap dispensing which prevents spills and encourages hygiene practice rather than play.

This technology has been validated in prototype form for consistent dispensing and evaluated for ease of use for children with autism spectrum disorder with surveys from experts.

Applications:

  • Assistive device for children with autism spectrum disorder
  • Teaching tool for hygiene sequences in children, including handwashing
  • Responsive tool for hygiene step protocols

Advantages:

  • Durable platform for allotted liquid dispensing
  • Provides LED step-by-step guide to assist in hygiene step sequences
  • Guides user on hygiene routine and is responsive to user input
  • Self-initiated guidance with customizable features including child-proof lock
  • Minimizes reliance on caregivers
  • Prevents liquid spills and overuse with consistent dispensing volume

Lead Inventor:

Qi Wang, Ph.D.

Related Publications:

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