iPhone/iPad App Helps Autistic Children Communicate

Posted by Andrew G. Rosen on April 16th, 2010 11:36 AM

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-Grace Logo- Some apps are practical, others are downright silly, and a select few, well, can enhance life beyond your wildest dreams. The Grace app, which is giving children with autism a chance to “speak” for the first time, is nothing short of a wonder. Available for $38 on iTunes, Grace is a digital version of the Picture Exchange Communications System, a book that helps those unable to speak to build sentences from relevant images.

The app starts with 400 images that were chosen by non-verbal people as communication starters. For example, categories include colors, food and drink, my body, and places. Grace allows the users to build their “photo vocabulary” by snapping their own photos to use within the app.

The app is currently being tested in Ireland at schools designed for autistic children and has yet to receive any mainstream medical endorsements. The app’s creator, Lisa Domican, who named Grace after her autistic daughter, believes the digital software has reduced her daughter’s communication frustrations. Ream more here.

The Grace app works on the iPhone and the iPad. A portion of the proceeds go to charity.

Toni

MyTalk Tools offers an app for all the iProducts that includes pre-recorded messages behind the pictures to communicate for the kids...it's only $39....download a free version at www.mytalktools.com. They can express their feelings, needs and even order their favorite meal at a restaurant. It's easy to use and program...very "cool".
Eric G

I understand the need to make some money to ensure our kids' future, being the father of an autistic kid myself. However, I am sure many parents would appreciate a lower price, particularly those that do not have the financial means. Kudos for developing it.
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Proloquo2go sells for $189.00. Being able to communicate with a non-verbal austistic child using this technology is worth every penny. Game apps for 99 cents can sell millions and earn
hammiesays

HI Lucy, It took me 18 months to develop the prototype using original artwork and my daughter Grace as the tester/co-developer. We were very lucky to discover Steve Troughton-Smith who did all the iPhone coding for it. Profits will be shared between the Developer, My daughter Grace and Apple. And we plan to give 10% to charity.
I would love to be a non-profit but while my mortgage provider, oil and power supplier and grocery store expect to be paid - I am going to need to make some money out of this eventually. Grace and her brother are severely autistic and I want to be able to guarantee their future.
Thanks for your feedback,xx
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$38 is not a lot to communicate with an Autistic child.
momofb

I would pay millions of dollars for my son that has a fever and feels horrible to be able to tell me what is hurting him. Too many times my nonverbal son with autism has spiked a fever out of nowhere, since he refuses to let a doctor anywhere near him we can only do the guess and check method to try to make him feel better or wait until my 12 year old daughter comes down with the same symptoms our son is having and she will then tell us. So again I would pay every single dime I have ever made to something/one if they could help my son communicate with me better!!!!
valcan

A similiar but more advanced app, Proloquo2go sells for $189.00. Being able to communicate with a non-verbal austistic child using this technology is worth every penny. Game apps for 99 cents can sell millions and earn lots of money, The autistic market is limited so I think that the price for Grace is very reasonable.
valcan

A more advanced app, Proloquo2go sells for $189.00. To have an non-verbal autistic child able to communicate is worth every penny.
Lucy from Best All Time

That seems like a nice App, but $38 seems a little bit pricey. I think it's kind of mean to take so much money for something like this.