B.Des.
Profile

SPOTS (Speech on the Spectrum)

  • Speech Therapy
  • Toolkit
  • Disabled
  • Inclusion
  • Participatory
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
Dr. Gayatri Menon
Speech on the Spectrum is a graduation project exploring childhood speech disorders like autism and cerebral palsy. Inspired by a father's story of his child forgetting simple words, the project investigates Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), which uses tactile and proprioceptive cues for speech development. However, OPT remains largely inaccessible in India due to cost and cultural disconnect. The project evolved from a personal observation into a systemic investigation of these barriers. In response, I designed "SPOTS," a range of low-cost, culturally attuned OPT tools specifically for Indian children. These tools are designed to be intuitive and toy-like, fostering joyful interactions between parents, children, and therapists. By reimagining medical tools as engaging play objects, the project makes therapy more inclusive and effective. Ultimately, SPOTS empowers families by providing affordable, accessible, and engaging solutions for speech development, ensuring that therapy becomes a positive, integrated part of a child's everyday life and growth.
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
Profile
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
B.Des.
Dr. Gayatri Menon
SPOTS (Speech on the Spectrum)
Speech on the Spectrum is a graduation project exploring childhood speech disorders like autism and cerebral palsy. Inspired by a father's story of his child forgetting simple words, the project investigates Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), which uses tactile and proprioceptive cues for speech development. However, OPT remains largely inaccessible in India due to cost and cultural disconnect. The project evolved from a personal observation into a systemic investigation of these barriers. In response, I designed "SPOTS," a range of low-cost, culturally attuned OPT tools specifically for Indian children. These tools are designed to be intuitive and toy-like, fostering joyful interactions between parents, children, and therapists. By reimagining medical tools as engaging play objects, the project makes therapy more inclusive and effective. Ultimately, SPOTS empowers families by providing affordable, accessible, and engaging solutions for speech development, ensuring that therapy becomes a positive, integrated part of a child's everyday life and growth.
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE
KASTURI KAILAS KATALE