UGLOO

The development of our wearable and app is aimed at providing inclusive tools that empower neurodivergent children, particularly those with Level 1 Autism. For this project, I worked with a team of four to design an ecosystem that helps these children understand, express, and advocate for their emotional and sensory needs in real time.

Role: Marketing/Brand Lead, UX/UI Design, UX Research
Year: Academic Project, Spring 2025
Length: 8 weeks
Project Team: Harmony Simpson, Yooji Chae, Joan Nandawula, Alexander Albao

Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIPs) are widespread in schools, but are often built on outdated paradigms. BIPs prioritize adult oversight and reactive behavior correction over proactive child engagement. These systems fall short for neurodivergent children who often overlook early signs of distress, resulting in missed windows for early intervention and rising emotional costs.

This disconnect leads to:

• Increased masking, emotional burnout, and misinterpreted behaviors
• Missed or delayed intervention windows during early signs of distress
• Fragmented emotional, behavioral, and clinical data across home, school, and therapy settings
• Limited caregiver insight into a child's everyday emotional experiences and needs

With nearly 1 in 7 U.S. students having a learning or regulation difference, and 12% of them on the autism spectrum, the need for better systems is clear. Traditional tools, like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), are often inconsistently applied, or focused more on fixing behavior than fostering internal resilience.

We address this gap by creating tools that are:

• Developmentally appropriate: designed for children's real needs, not adult convenience
• Socially safe: empowering children to express and manage their needs without stigma
• Scientifically grounded: leveraging cognitive science and embodied cognition
• System-integrated: allowing caregivers to track trends, respond early, and coordinate support

By starting from the child's internal cues rather than external disruptions, UGLOO shifts the balance from managing meltdowns to building emotional fluency and independence. UGLOO transforms invisible struggles into visible insights, bridging the gap between the child and their support team in real time.