personal project: January 2011

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

Creating something new and unique is something I like to do; it is a part of who I am. Sometimes don’t you just wonder what you can with your abilities and with favorite things to do? So I’ve decided to do something that will benefit others.

People say that autism is disability; some other people say that autism is weird and different. To them, autism is a beautiful grace. Even though there are some disadvantages in autism, but some say autism have more IQ than people with no autism. I think they are both kids with both disabilities and special abilities. It is very interesting on how they can be a brighter student than the rest. They might not have the ability to do everything and may have a disability, but they are special. Sometimes, they’re not able to know what emotion they’re having, which could cause some chaos. And they sometimes also have sensory problems, which could block their way to a better learning process.

1.2 Goal & AOI

For my personal project, I would like to make dolls that will help kids with autism develop. I will be designing and creating the dolls and later I will give them to the kids with autism with hope that it will help them grow, develop and make good use of it. Kids with autism needs tools to make their censoring skills better. That is the reason why I’m going to make dolls that will develop their censoring skills. The Area of Interaction I will relate this to is Community and Service. One of the many reasons why is because I want to learn more about this community and help them to develop in a way that would benefit them at the most.

1.3 Activity Schedule

My plan is to first of all find a society or institution that helps autism kids. After that, I will search about the institution and ask whether they need help or not. Next, I will be interviewing a professional for advice on how to help the autism kids with toys, and I will also do some other research through other resources. After that, I will start designing the dolls (with characters) and at the same time I will be finding the perfect material for the dolls. Next, I will start creating the dolls based on the design with the texture and material. When I’m done creating the dolls, I will give those dolls to the community or group of people that helps autism kids to achieve my goal.

1.4 Standard of Success

I’ll know that I have succeeded if the kids with autism could take the doll that has an emotion like how they stated their emotion is beforehand. I will be asking how they’re feeling that day and let them see and observe the dolls I will be making. After that, I will ask them to take a doll that symbolizes how they’re feeling. If they take the right one, that means I succeeded, but if they took a different one from their feeling that means I failed.

2.0 Analysis of Information

After researching through the Internet, books, magazines, videos, and interviews; I’ve decided that I’m going to focus on helping kids with autism but at the same time also focus on my AOI, which is Community and Service. Even though the process of creation (Human Ingenuity) is also a factor of it, I’ve chose to focus more on how to help kids with autism (Community and Service). I will focus on kids with autism (to be specific, Aspergers), training and the dolls.

2.1 About Kids with Autism

Kids with autism—in general, have problem communicating with other people. They also have weird and unique behaviors such as: avoiding eye contact, head banging and many more. They have trouble controlling their emotions and showing it in a proper way. According to Tony Attwood, giving them emotion chart will help a lot. So, when they’re angry (for example), they can point at the picture so that his/her surroundings can know what they really feel. Kids with Aspergers aren’t the best at controlling their emotions. Kids with autism have sensory problems—their ability to feel isn’t as good as people without autism.

Kids with autism or Aspergers in specific are just simply different than others. They need to have different kind of practices so that they can be more “normal”. But then again, what is normal? To kids with autism, they’re normal. To us, people without autism, we’re normal. So actually, the practices they go through isn’t to make them normal, but so that they can do more than others, do things they weren’t able to do before that.

Sensitivity is one of the indications that a kid has autism. They usually have sensitivity to light or a specific color. Like what’s written in Jodi Picoult’s book House Rules, the kid with Aspergers was sensitive to the color orange. And in Mark Haddon’s book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the kid was sensitive to the color yellow. Actually, not all of them have a special sensitivity, but those are the examples. They also have motor skills problem such as locomotion, ball skills, balance, manual dexterity, coordination and rhythm. It might sound like something that little kids lack of, but kids with autism are known when their growth is late than other kids.

Referring back to the Areas of Interaction’s question: How do we live in relation with others? we live in relation with others by trying to blend in be the same with everyone, to not be weird. But for kids with autism, or Aspergers, they don’t know what’s different and what’s the same. So, what we can do to help them is by not to point out their differences so they don’t feel bad, and slowly help them. Some people would just laugh and tease them, but since I know how being teased feels like, I don’t. Even though it is the simplest thing we can do, but sometimes it does matter.

2.2 About Training Kids with Autism

Autism kids are kids with special abilities. Nowadays they have different kinds of Yayasan and groups that help kids with autism to grow and get more attention. They have different kinds of tools as well to help them as well. As their surroundings, there are also different ways to help them.

Yayasan or organizations that help kids with autism also exists in Indonesia. Even though they’re only a small group of people, it is said that kids with autism grows. It helps them little by little. Even though it is not possible for kids with autism to be “cured” from autism, they can grow and continue living like other kids. Kids with autism took more time to develop than kids without autism. They’re considered late, that’s why they need different kinds of training so that they can catch up with the other kids. They need more attention.

Sensory toys are one of the best ways to help kids with autism grow. Even though it takes a long period of time, it affects the kid little by little. Sensory toys have different kinds of features in it such as sound, light, movement, vibration, texture and pressure. All of it can help kids with autism with a long process.

Referring back to the Areas of Interaction’s questions, we contribute to the community by helping them with what we have. For example, if we have a talent in cooking; we can help them by cooking foods that would decrease their hyperactivity. We can also help others in many different ways, and by being a friend is one of them. Even though it is hard to do so, I will try my best, because deep inside sometimes it’s sad to not have friends. Those simple things do matter.

2.3 About Creating Dolls

After seeing different examples and ways to make dolls, I have decided to make it with different kind of colors to show emotion, and also different kind of fabrics to grab their attention.

According to Athalia Soenaryo, a counselor, it is best to make dolls with a texture that would grab kids’ attention, but at the same time not also harm them. So, after trying to find materials in the market, I decided to use Flannel because it is soft but also has a very unique texture.

After seeing different kind of dolls, I notice they usually have unique shapes, but it isn’t my main concern, so I will just keep it simple. I will though, focus more on the colors. The color of the dolls would be based on the emotion I’m going to try to express through it. For example, I can use the color sky blue to express sadness, because according to hubpages.com, the color sky blue shows sadness.

After seeing the techniques of making the doll through the Internet and videos, I think it’s best to do sew it using the machine. Because, after analyzing the videos I’ve seen through youtube.com, when they make the doll using sewing machine, it’s faster and also neater. And after my experience in Design Technology class, hand sewing takes more time and isn’t as strong as using the sewing machine.

According to Mimi Lusli, the owner of Mimi Institute, it is best that the doll’s size is not that big, but not that small either. I don’t really need the doll to be big, because I just need the kid to put it up in someway, but I don’t want it to be too small either (because I’m afraid it won’t show the emotion).

As for the amount of the dolls, after considering that Mimi Institute just opened their school, I think I will be making one for each emotion. If I make 3 for each emotion (for example), it would somehow be ineffective (Lusli, Mimi). And for the emotion, I will be portraying sad, happy, content and anger. I chose this 4 emotion because even though they are simple emotions, sometimes they can get it all mixed up.

‘How can I contribute to the community?’ and ‘How can I help others?’ are the questions from the Areas of Interaction. I believe that there are many different ways we can contribute to the community. The best thing we can do is that use our talents to do something good to the community. For me, I believe that sewing is one of the things I like to do, and I would like to use it to help kids with autism. After trying to figure out how to use it best, I’m going to make a type of sensory toys. Same goes for how we can help others. It is up to us how we’re going to respond to the society. It is our choice to help them, it is also our choice to respond to what the community has offer. And I’ve chosen to respond positively, by helping them.

3.0 Analysis of Process

3.1 Research (Collecting Data & Processing Data)

It was my intention from the very beginning to find as many resources as possible so that I can have all the information I needed. I got a little bit of help from my mom to get the books and also people to interview. After that, I tried to find valid information from the Internet and to verify it to other sources.

At first, I wanted to make dolls that represent the kids with autism and then sell it to get money for them. But after consulting with my supervisor, she said that it’ll mean more if I make dolls for them, and it’ll be more useful. So, I changed my goal. Throughout the process, there has been some confusion on the product. At first I was planning to connect my doll with something called sensory toys. But in the middle of the process, my supervisor discovered that I didn’t really understand the concept of sensory toys, which led to a really big confusion. And it also led to some changes to my original plan and design.

3.2 Create (Making the Final Product)

The steps I took to accomplish my goal were finding fabrics, designing the final product, cutting the fabrics and sewing it. These are the steps I took because I believe without these steps, my final product will be incomplete and a mess. Throughout this process, I also keep on thinking about the AOI and keep reminding myself about it and try to connect my product with it in a way or two.

When I went looking for the fabrics for my creation, I wanted it to have different kind of fabrics so that it’ll help their sensory problems. I also wanted to look for different colors of fabrics to symbolize the emotion of the doll. In the end, I found 3 different types of fabrics, with different colors. I am kind of disappointed, because I actually wanted to find a fabric that is rough but can be use for dolls, but since I wasn’t able to find one; I worked with what I had. The good thing was that I found different colors for my dolls and each color really symbolizes the emotion of the doll.

I had a lot of trouble when I had to design the final product, mainly because I didn’t really know how to use the information I had and use it wisely. So, finally, I decided to use 8 emotions, which I got from the book, and try to design it and match it with the fabrics I had. During this process, I really had to focus on the AOI and try to find out what is the best way to help the kids and try to somehow understand them. The strength I had during this process was that I was finally able to find out what is the best way to design the doll (because I changed it again and again). Meanwhile, the weakness I had during this process was the appearance of the doll isn’t that unique. But after thinking about it, the design doesn’t really matter, what matters most is the components of it that will help them.

Cutting the dolls was a tricky step for me, because I have to have the right measurements so that the dolls don’t look ugly or anything. So, I somehow managed to predict the proportional length of the dolls and cut it like how I drew it on the fabrics. But since one of the fabrics is hard to be cut and sometimes look bad after I cut it, I had to cut it outside the lines I drew. But that was basically the only problem I had.

Sewing the dolls, for me, was the best part of all, because I finally got a chance to work on it and I like sewing. I sewed the eyes, mouth and eyebrows first because I had to hand-sew it (since they’re small). It took quite a while, but it turned out pretty good. After that, I sew the dolls using the sewing machine. But, the last one I did, which was blissful, didn’t turn out like how I wished it to be and it somehow looks like the interested doll. So, I decided not to use it, because I don’t think it’ll be much help and would be confusing. Which left me with 7 dolls. I am very happy with the product, even though it’s not that unique, but the emotion really shows from it and it has a lot of variety. The weakness I had during this process was that I didn’t really measure it correctly, which made my 8^th doll a failed product.

3.3 Testing Method

Since it won’t be appropriate if I survey my final product, I will test my final product by going to Mimi Institute, where I met a few of the kids. Since, I wasn’t able to meet all of them, I met a kid called Cia-cia. I was actually supposed to meet Janice, who I’ve observed through a recording the institution gave me. But, since they lost touch, they introduced me to a kid with a similar condition, which is Cia-cia.

The first thing I did when I met her was asked her how she felt that day. She was a little bit confused why she was there. So, I explained to her what I’m doing and why I need her there. After that, she told me that she was feeling happy and okay. So she tried to find a doll that looks happy, and she took the Happy Doll. That proves that I have succeeded. But after that, I asked her what the other dolls look like. She stated that the ‘Angry Doll’ looks like it’s happy. And that the ‘Blissful Doll’ looks okay, but not that happy. That also kind of proved that my dolls aren’t that successful.

3.4 Areas of Interaction reflection

In the beginning of the research, I see the AoI, which is Community and Service as something we have to live with, something that has been going on since a long time ago. But, throughout the process, my perspective has changed. After the research, I see myself and compare to them, and I honestly feel grateful because I have so much more, and was given more chances. But, at the same time, I feel like the kids with autism are unique, they’re just something more. And as I work on the final product, I keep thinking about it and I realize that they deserve better. They’ve always been treated like a freak, as if they don’t belong in this world. Throughout the creation process, I realize that they’re not. They are unique for who they are, and we, as their surroundings should realize that it is who they are and we have to accept it. We’re not any different from them, we have to accept them for who they are. And after I test my product, I realize that the littlest thing does matter to them.

4.0 Analysis of Outcome

My 7 emotion dolls were successful. I believe it was well sewn and looks great. But then again, the look of the dolls doesn’t really matter, the components of the doll is what’s important. The expression of the dolls, materials and colors is what matters. After testing my product, it’s pretty clear to me that some of the expressions of the dolls aren’t clear enough.

Teaching them to know more about their emotion and make them more aware of their own senses would need a lot of time. I personally considered my product a successful one because Cia-cia was able to tell me how she felt and took the right doll. But after that, as I asked her how the other dolls looked to her, she stated that it isn’t clear enough and the doll doesn’t match what she said. So, I think a part of my dolls were successful, but some of the dolls just weren’t clear enough. I am very satisfied with what I have done because I’ve given it my all and I’ve made a lot of justifications to it.

5.0 Conclusion

My goal, which was to help the kids with autism develop have succeeded. It is true that I can’t really see their growth because it’ll take a lot of time. But I believe that my product has been a successful one because I’ve tried my best. I have achieved my goal because after the trial, it has been proved that what they’re feeling matches the doll they took.

5.1 AOI

In the beginning of this project, I realized that kids with autism were treated in a wrong manner or way and that they needed help. I was aware that this problem has been happening for quite a while, and that this is going to keep developing from time to time. But after doing all this, I realize that they’re unique in their own ways. So, what I did to react to awareness I got in the beginning of the project was to help them with something I love—which was making a doll. And through that experience, I can answer the AOI question “How do we live in relation with others?” I live in relation with others by trying to help them the best I could. Helping them in the best way I know how, which is sewing. And at the same time I can answer to “How can I contribute to the community?” by making the dolls and at the same time helping them during my observation. I help others by doing what I know best and try to connect it with the recent issues in life.

5.2 Improvements

I was a bit sad that not all my products were successful because the emotions of the dolls weren’t clear enough. It seems like the mouth of the doll makes them a little confused. Cia-cia thought that the angry doll, which has it’s teeth shown like the happy one is the same. And the one with a simple smile was an okay doll. It really discouraged me, but it is certainly something I should improve on. Something else I could improve on is probably the fabric that I use. These are the things I could improve on so that my product can be a more satisfying and would be more effective.

5.3 New Perspective

This experience has thought me a lot of things. The main thing that it has thought me is that I’m lucky enough to be able to live my life the way I want it to be. Meanwhile, the kids with autism have their disabilities and still can achieve a lot of things. It thought me to do more, to be a risk-taker and not care about what other people thinks. This experience has also thought me that the little things we do, does matter.

--I'm not done with the Appendix