Sensory experience in the home for people with intellectual disability and autism

Background

Sensory experience is important for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and autism, and sensory stimulation can provide enjoyment and relaxation. Multi-sensory environments (MSEs), containing sensory equipment that can be controlled to meet a user’s needs, are common in special-needs settings and enhance wellbeing and relaxation. Our previous research found that the potential benefits of MSEs depended on how they were used and the user’s sensory profile (e.g. Unwin, Powell & Jones, in review). The PhD project will translate novel research from our custom-designed MSE into practical improvements in the home environments of people with ID and autism.  

 Rationale and aims

The current climate has highlighted the importance of interventions that can be integrated into the home and that can promote wellbeing and stimulation, especially for vulnerable and potentially isolated groups such as adults with ID and autism.  The PhD student will work closely with the Innovate Trust, who are the largest service provider for individuals with ID in South Wales and an international leader in promoting new smart technologies and increasing digital inclusion for those with ID. By harnessing the potential of new smart technologies, the PhD will translate the benefits of sensory stimulation gained by being in an MSE into peoples’ homes. The student will work with Innovate Trust and the people they support to develop new home-based sensory experiences that can be easily controlled via voice/motor commands. A secondary aim of the project is to understand more about the sensory experience of adults with ID and autism, and the ways in which MSEs and sensory stimulation can be tailored to individual needs.

 Anticipated design and methods

The PhD will be based in the Wales Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology (WARC), Cardiff University. Housed within the Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental Science, WARC has a customed-designed MSE that will support the project.

 The project will take a two-stage approach, with final decisions about design being driven by the student. First, individuals with ID (with and without autism) will be assessed using established methods that examine the effects of different sensory experiences (e.g. observing behaviours in the MSE; physiological measures of arousal in the MSE; qualitative interviews, sensory questionnaires). These findings will help us to understand how participants’ sensory profiles relate to their sensory needs and preferences, as well as the effect of MSE stimulation on behaviour and affect. Second, we will use novel smart technologies to recreate aspects of the MSEs in the homes of people with ID. For example, someone who responded to visual stimulation could control lights and other visual stimuli in their home via integration with a smart speaker (e.g. Amazon Alexa). We will evaluate the effect of providing ‘smart sensory’ equipment in the home compared to smart speakers without a sensory add-on. Outcomes will focus on wellbeing, relaxation and stimulation, via interviews and structured surveys. 

This studentship is for a ‘collaborative’ award. Applicants should take careful consideration of the working title and description of the project, and may wish to contact the named member of staff for a discussion prior to applying

Applications are invited from exceptional candidates with a first class or strong upper second-class honours degree, or appropriate Master’s degree. Both the University and the ESRC Wales DTP value diversity and equality at all levels and we encourage applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.  

 In line with our commitment to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and to increase recruitment of currently underrepresented groups, applications from Black British, Asian British, minority ethnicity British and mixed race British candidates are particularly encouraged and welcomed. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study, and studentships are available as either ‘1+3’ (i.e. one full time year of research training Masters followed by three years of full-time Doctoral study, or the part-time equivalent), or ‘+3’ (i.e. three years of full-time doctoral study or its part-time equivalent), depending on the needs of the applicant.