Autism 5 vs Communications

The Autism Help App assists individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other disabilities to communicate and regulate in emergency situations. Using the book: The Incredible 5-Point Scale TM by authors Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Curtis, AAPC Publishing the app helps individuals act, react and interact quickly in emergency situations. With a touch of a screen information is provided and can help facilitate interactions for a “safe” outcome for both the individual and 1st responder. Utilizing the 5 Point Scale, individuals can easily communicate and regulate their level of anxiety and take appropriate steps to be safe without the need to be verbal. On the first screen levels are color-coded with different facial expressions, increasing based on the emergency or situation. For example, choosing a “1” may mean “I have a scratch on my leg and need a band-aid.” Choosing a “3” may mean “I have a headache and need to use my relaxation exercises.” Choosing a “5” may mean “I’m lost and can’t find my parents! I need a policeman.” Autism Help can be customized to fit an individual’s needs. Levels of “emergencies”, photos and responses can be individualized for each family. Photos of different emergency responders can be taken with your local First Responders so that the individual will recognize them, adding a mothers voice gives the individual immediate recognition to do something to be safe (“go to your safe place”). Autism Help can also be utilized as a learning tool to help individuals with ASD and other disabilities learn to interact depending upon the severity of the emergency. Photos based on the level of anxiety can be of a 1st responder for 5 or for level 1 a band-aid, or fidget, or stuffed animal, again each level can be customized with photos and voice recognition to “Your own “Autism Help” app. The Autism Society of Minnesota, AuSM® with grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, has developed this app to support our mission of helping families by enhancing the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders through education, support, collaboration, and advocacy. Visit our website to learn more about available resources for Emergency Preparedness for families, 1st responders and individuals.

“Communications” is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) application that designed specifically for Autistic people. The goal of this application is to assist Autistic people with speaking difficulty as well as improving their vocabulary skill. Remodeling our application after Picture Exchange Communication System (PECs), a universal methodology of teaching speech and communication to Autistic people, we carefully designed an application to build up child’s communication from foundation. First part of our application will focus on communication by using a single word or picture. The second part will teach children to construct as well as communicate with full sentences. This application is not only limit to people with Autism. People with down syndrome and language disability can also benefit from this application as well. This project is a joint collaboration between True Corporation and Autistic Foundation Thailand. We work closely with autistic teachers, specialists as well as parents and children to craft out a customized learning solution for Autistic Children. By using our applications closely with parents and teachers, it is expected that autistic children will develop essential skills that are important to live a normal life. “Communications” is part of True Autistic application series which also include “Daily Tasks” and “Trace & Share”. Each application focuses on improving different aspect of autistic children skill.