AutisMate is a fun interactive way for your child to communicate and learn new skills. Unlike traditional devices, AutisMate allows your child to communicate in a more natural way on a fun device (the iPad!). AutisMate provides built in reinforcement that is easily customizable to each child’s favorite items. Traditional devices lack the opportunity for immediate reinforcement, which is a key component in teaching individuals behavioral and social skills. With the use of video modeling built into scenes, your child can access videos in the location he or she normally performs the task and can follow along!

There are three major ways in which AutisMate separates itself from other apps:

• Holistic approach – Our holistic approach allows those on the spectrum to overcome both the communication and behavioral impairments that are typical of autism. A lot of the behavioral and social issues stem from an inability to communicate. Can you imagine how frustrating it would be to be unable to express yourself or comprehend what others were saying to you. Our holistic approach to development uses visual strategies in an interconnected way to simultaneously develop communication and behavioral skills. Communication and behavior are inherently interlinked and that’s why our approach is so powerful.
• Personalization – It is critical to use intervention strategies that can be tailored to the individual’s specific needs. We provide a comprehensive toolkit where a caretaker can focus on specific developmental issues that are being emphasized at a certain time. This allows AutisMate to be used as a primary intervention strategy for a lot wide range of individuals on the spectrum. AutisMate easily evolves with the ever-changing needs of an individual, so as an individual acquires certain skills, you can simply make adjustments that will encourage further progress.
• Time Saving – In order for tools to be used to their full potential it is critical for the technology to be easy to use. There was a lot of focus in allowing AutisMate to take advantage of what we call “Just-in-Time” programming, which is how a caretaker can customize AutisMate at any moment. This allows AutisMate to not only maximize its full therapeutic potential but saves an enormous amount of time for parents and educators.

Combining the uniqueness of incorporating both communication and behavioral skills, AutisMate allows your child to independently navigate through scenes that are familiar to him or her. Your child can easily request for items by simply tapping on a hotspot. AutisMate will also provide support in assisting your child to participate in daily social interactions. By using AutisMate your child will be able to comment on the environment around him or her, respond to peer questions and ask a variety of questions. The app can be customized to fit your child’s needs depending on the social situation they encounter.

With a built in grid based sentence builder, AutisMate will also provide your child with the opportunity to learn how to structure sentences. Your child can either use one image to request or learn to build sentences.

Compared to other devices, AutisMate is easy to transport throughout the child’s day accompanying him or her to various locations in school. AutisMate can be customized to incorporate scenes that your child would navigate throughout their day including their classroom, the hallway, the nurse’s office and gym class. Accessing video modeling and visual schedules while in school can help your child be more successful and independent in everyday tasks such as using the bathroom and unpacking their backpack.

AutisMate offers a variety of tutorials and videos that guide the user step by step throughout navigating and setting up the app. Also be certain to sign up for one of our webinars to have the AutisMate team show you all of the benefits of using AutisMate at home, in school or anywhere that would help.

AutisMate is not only used as a communication device but can also be used to help your child develop socially and emotionally. Often, children with Autism have difficulties engaging in appropriate social and emotional behaviors. For example, children with Autism may often isolate themselves from peers, engage in inappropriate play and lack social attention. AutisMate is designed to help your child concur these difficulties. AutisMates’s communication hotspots can be utilized to make conversation during lunch and recess to ask children various questions, comment on their environment, ask a child to play and engage in joint activities. Video models can be used to demonstrate appropriate play and even further engage the child in appropriate pretend play. The sentence builder can be used to construct sentences requesting for items, to participate in classroom discussions or to invite their peers to their birthday party!

Yes! AutisMate can be utilized as a support in your child’s classroom. AutisMate can guide your child to play appropriately with peers using video modeling. AutisMate’s visual schedules will help your child become more independent by using a step-by-step approach to guide your child through everyday routines. AutisMate’s communication hotspots will allow your child to request for items in school along with engage in peer conversation during lunch and recess!