Robert's App

Inspired by our younger brother Robert, who has autism and is non-speaking (which means that he has a limited ability to use speech or language to communicate), Robert's App is a platform for day-to-day communication and care coordination fostering independence for non-speaking communicators. We named the platform Robert's App, because it can be Anyone's App. Unlike other Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools, Robert’s App can be fully customized by his parents and care team, enabling him to quickly and easily communicate the things he wants and needs. Beyond bettering Robert’s way of life by giving him a communication tool to ask for his unique needs, wants, and emotions, Robert’s App unites his teachers, specialists, parents, and caregivers to help Robert work towards his IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals. IEP evaluations and goal setting happens 1x/year. After an IEP is set, the student has certain milestones that need to be met before increasing or changing yearly IEP goals. 3x/year, the special education teacher, school psychologist, and parents meet to evaluate progress on these IEP goals. To note progress on a goal, the special education teacher needs to evaluate the skill every 2 months. A typical IEP goal for a child like Robert is that “within six weeks, the student will independently and politely ask to use the bathroom in 4 out of 5 opportunities.” To test this skill, the teacher may role-play scenarios, practice using polite language, and provide visual reminders with the student. If the goal isn’t working at all, the goal changes completely by bringing the entire team together for another IEP meeting. With Robert’s App, we want students to move faster towards their goals and unite caregivers in helping students achieve these goals by tracking this progress. All of this creates independence for the user and lessens the cost of long-term caregiving.