Autistic Children get a “BioHug”

October 31, 2007

Rembrand tinkered in his home until he came up with the idea of a light, wearable, calming device that’s both portable and nonrestraining––BioHug, a vest for both people with autism and children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). BioHug delivers a mildly pulsating pressure through the use of inflatable cells placed throughout the garment and includes a biofeedback mechanism, which automatically regulates the level of stimulation. “The idea of inflatable bubble cells is used for people with pressure wounds to keep them from getting infected,” says Rembrand. The device measures the user’s stress, and that stress actually controls the BioHug’s pressure and pulsation rate.

A change in the stress counter will cause adjustment to the pulsation rate and amount of pressure.

Rembrand founded BioHug Technologies to commercialize the device. CEO Andrew Schiffmiller explains, “The BioHug is unique among all other types of pressure-based devices for people with autism because we solve the problem of habituation. Try it yourself. Gently pinch your wrist. You feel it, but if you keep doing it, after a short while, you don’t feel it anymore. Through the pulsation feature on the BioHug, we reduce the habituation, so the sensation of pressure on the user will continue, because it’s always changing.”

For ADHD students, it could be worn at homework time, enabling the user to concentrate and stay on task. For people with autism who suffer severe agitation, it’s a tool to help them calm down. For more information: Andrew Schiffmiller, (972) 4-847-0119, [email protected]

Excerpts of an article by David Brinn, ISRAEL21c

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