UAE Students Design Innovative CareChair to Support Neurodiverse Students

Designed by students for students, the sustainable seating solution supports improved focus, comfort, and inclusion

A team of 17-year-old UAE students Yuvaan Sawlani, Ayaan Mohammed, Moulik Savla, and Atharva Mehra have unveiled their innovative seating solution, CareChair, designed to transform classroom experiences for neurodiverse students.

The noble idea was inspired by the talented students’ shared observational research of students with ADHD and other sensory challenges, often struggling to stay focused and engaged in a classroom setting. According to a 2023 study published by Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, about 4 percent of school-aged children in the UAE are diagnosed with ADHD. By cleverly combining empathy-driven design features with functionality, the students created a chair that addresses challenges faced by overwhelmed students, reducing restlessness and fostering inclusivity and confidence in learners.

The CareChair features an extended seat base that enables flexible seating positions, built-in fidget toys to reduce stress, and interchangeable sensory tools that can be customised to suit different student needs. Importantly, all sensory elements are crafted from recycled materials, including the fidget spinner and recycled Rubik’s cube, reinforcing the team’s commitment to sustainability alongside inclusivity. Designed in the shape of a friendly bear, CareChair offers a comforting and nurturing presence for students, and includes tactile features such as grippy rubber pads and calming stimulation that supports students’ engagement in class lessons.

“Our mission is to make classrooms more inclusive by removing barriers to engagement for neurodiverse children. The CareChair empowers students to regulate their energy and emotions with minimal disruption in-class learning. It creates a space where student can feel calm, safe, and confident to learn,” says Sawlani.

Initial beta testing with students has shown promising results. One user highlighted how the spacious design allowed for greater comfort and movement, while the discreet fidget features helped them stay focused without drawing attention. Teachers also reported a calmer classroom environment, with improved participation and reduced restlessness.

The students plan to first integrate the CareChair as part of a phased roll out in Arcadia schools in the UAE, including Arcadia British School in Jumeirah Village Triangle and Arcadia Global School in Al Furjan. The CareChair will be placed across the schools’ counselor offices and select classrooms before expanding to other schools across the UAE. The inspiring team of young inventors’ long-term vision is to position the chair as a benchmark standard for all learning environments.

The journey to creating the CareChair was not without challenges. Balancing functionality with comfort required creating multiple prototypes and market research sessions with students and teachers.

“We wanted to make sure the chair was not bulky or intimidating, but flexible to the needs of its user, and through the process of trial and error, we were able to refine the design to strike the right balance,” adds Mohammed.

Looking ahead, the students aim to collaborate with occupational therapists and learning specialists for further design refinement to ensure it meets diverse sensory need, with a broader mission to create learning tools that support all students, supported by partnerships, sponsorships, and large-scale manufacturing to make it widely accessible.

For the team, the most rewarding moment has been seeing the chair in use. “Watching students interact with the CareChair and hearing that it genuinely improved their focus and confidence showed us that, this is more than just a school project – it is a product that can change lives. This journey has taught us that true innovation in education comes from designing with empathy. Even small changes in the classroom can transform how students with special needs engage and learn,” concludes Savla.

For more information and to get involved, please contact Yuvaan Sawlani or Moulik Savla on LinkedIn.