A multi-phasic research strategy was employed to comprehensively address the following areas of interest:

Understanding Autism                                                       Toy Industry Competitors & Demographics

-Prevalence                                                                           -Major Designers, Manufacturers, and Retailers.

-Diagnosis                                                                             -History

-Prognosis                                                                             -Economic Impact

-Treatment/Types of Therapies                                             -External and Internal Influences/Customers

-Individual Case Studies

Our Role                                                                              Toy Industry Materials & Suppliers

-Identify Needs                                                                     -Most Common Materials

-Communication                                                                   -Recent Advances in Materials

-Learning Styles

-Common Likes/Dislikes

-Popular Toys

-Interviews of Parents/Caregivers

Toy Industry Rules & Regulations                                    Future Projections

-Design                                                                                  -Manufacturing Processes

-Approval Process                                                                 -Elements of Engineering

-Manufacturing                                                                      -Reverse Engineering

-Testing                                                                                 -Relevant Technologies

-Age Designation

-Safety Parameters

-Legal/Political Considerations

Specific research methods included examination of print material (books, periodicals, magazines, research studies, etc), as well as direct observation of children and parents, interviews with parents, and analysis of statistical data.

Actor Snapshots

Activity Models

Stakeholder Needs