Исследование одежды для детей с аутизмом: как сенсорные потребности влияют на качество жизни

‘Clothing plays a vital role in everyday comfort and wellbeing, yet the sensory needs of autistic children are often overlooked.’ Syeda Maryam Hussain joined South East Technological University’s Walton Institute last year as a PhD researcher focusing on textile design, smart materials and functional garment development. She is a member of the Mobile Ecosystem Pervasive Systems division, where her research focuses on the development of innovative wearable garments to support personalised healthcare solutions. Her doctoral project explores the integration of smart textiles and electromyography sensing to create adaptive training systems tailored to the needs of children with autism. Hussain holds a master’s of science in advanced clothing and fashion from the National Textile University in Pakistan, and a BFA in craft and textile design from Lahore College for Women University, where she also served as a lecturer. Tell us about the research you’re currently working on Our current research explores the clothing and fabric preferences of children with autism, an area that has received relatively little attention despite the important role sensory sensitivities can play in everyday life. The project was developed to address this gap and aims to support the design of more inclusive, sensory-friendly clothing. We are currently in phase one of the study – conducting a survey with parents and caregivers of autistic children to better understand their experiences when purchasing clothing, including preferred fabric types and common challenges. The findings will inform a co-design process that will guide the development and prototyping of clothing tailored to the needs of autistic children. By placing families’ experiences at the centre of the research, we hope to contribute to more comfortable, accessible and inclusive clothing solutions for autistic children. Why is your research important? This research is important because clothing plays a vital role in everyday comfort and wellbeing, yet the sensory needs of autistic children are often overlooked. By understanding parents’ experiences and identifying preferred fabric types, we can help inform the design of more inclusive and sensory-friendly clothing. We hope this research will lead to the development of clothing that improves comfort, supports participation in daily activities, and enhances the quality of life of autistic children and their families. It may also encourage greater awareness of inclusive design within the clothing and textile industry. What inspired you to become a researcher? My background as a lecturer sparked my interest in research and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, evidence-based work. On a personal level, having a nephew with autism inspired me to pursue this project. Seeing some of the challenges he experiences in everyday life motivated me to explore ways that research can help improve comfort, inclusion, and quality of life for autistic children and their families. What are some of the biggest challenges or misconceptions you face as a researcher in your field? One of the biggest challenges is the limited research available on the clothing needs of autistic individuals, particularly in relation to sensory preferences. There is also a common misconception that clothing is a minor issue, when in reality it can have a significant impact on comfort, wellbeing and participation in daily life. Through this research, we hope to highlight the importance of inclusive and sensory-friendly design for autistic children. Do you think public engagement with science and data has changed in recent years? Yes, I believe public engagement with science and research has increased significantly in recent years, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the importance of scientific evidence and data in informing decisions and everyday life. It also encouraged more people to engage with research and ask questions about how studies are conducted. This increased awareness presents a valuable opportunity for researchers to communicate their work more effectively and demonstrate its real-world impact. How do you encourage engagement with your own work? I encourage engagement with my work by involving parents and caregivers throughout the research process and ensuring their experiences help shape the project. I also aim to communicate findings in a clear and accessible way through presentations, publications, and public engagement activities, helping to raise awareness about the importance of sensory-friendly and inclusive clothing design. Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the  Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.