A great idea Kayla. Fascinated by the idea of different rooms. Wondering if the different rooms  would have different ergonomics and haptic design features. Captuting data on which rooms are more used by children with ASD would be an interesting study. 

How can we help with your project? If you could provide a few next steps that we can help with that would give us a good insight in how we can assist. 

Hi Kayla,

The dollhouse you purpose sounds interesting. Giving children, especially children with ASD a way to safely interact and gain an understanding of common household rooms and objects, will really help their future development.

I have a few thoughts/questions that will hopefully get you thinking about the future of your idea.

You state that the dollhouse will be filled with items, I’m assuming these are household items for the dollhouse? Will they lean towards sensory toys/gadgets or will they be common household colours and textures to help gain familiarity? Or a mixer of both?  

Your floorplan of each room is very informative and detailed, the dollhouse layout purposed is a little confusing. Is it 2 story, since the item storage is stated to be on the bottom? If so, the stairs seem to be in an odd spot leading from the bathroom to the upstairs balcony or are the external stairs? Have you thought about making the dollhouse modular? I believe a child able to re-create their own house would be a great way a child to be more comfortable in their own home.

As a father of two young children, having storage in toy is a great idea. This helps structure the pack-up of the toy.

Lastly, what size is the dollhouse? have you considered the age bracket that you are aiming this dollhouse towards? The younger the preferred age for the dollhouse is the bigger you’ll have to make it to avoid choking hazards.

I hope I have given you something to think about. I look forward to seeing the progress of your idea.

Kind Regards,

Michael D

Civil Engineering Student, CQUniversity – ENEG12007: Creative Engineering

Hi Kayla,

The proposed concept that you have come up with holds great potential. Especially when it comes to helping children with ASD have fun and enjoy a potential Christmas/birthday gift.

I have a few thoughts or interests that could hopefully help you with the progression of your unique idea.

First, the idea of having an in-build storage room inside the doll house would make it easy to store and clean up making it a great idea that you have come up with. Furthermore, would it work better if u decorate the floor and make a stone retaining wall, or hedge wall/garden and steps up to the front with the purpose of storing all the extra small parts under the house while also giving it a decorative appearance.

Considering those small parts, I have concern that they may be easy to swallow or digest parts that for younger children may pose as an issue for their safety.

Also, if the purpose of this dollhouse is to adhere to children with ASD, are there any actual differences to a normal doll house, what aspects personally adhere to ASD children.

I hope to have helped you in your interesting product.

Kind regards,

Aiden F