Therapeutic Hoodie
I designed and stitched a therapeutic hoodie prototype for children with ADHD, exploring how clothing could support comfort and sensory regulation without looking clinical or drawing unwanted attention.
The project
I developed the hoodie through research, design specifications, prototyping, testing and iteration as part of my MYP 5 Design work. I focused on a simple, wearable garment with adjustable waist straps, elasticated arm sections and shoulder weights to create a gentle compressed feeling.
Design report
Design decisions and learning
I had to balance compression, comfort, aesthetics and maintenance. I used simple straps and elastic rather than adding unnecessary fasteners, and considered how seams could irritate the wearer. I also explored electronics for feedback but did not include them in the final garment because safety, washability and testing would have needed more time.
Testing and feedback helped me identify improvements, including better ways to make weights adjustable and to simplify maintenance. The project taught me that a product can look simple only after many design trade-offs have been considered.