MySocius app uses naturalistic teaching methods, supplements care of health professionals
A smartphone application that has potential to help children with autism communicate more effectively is now available for download.
Developed by Keith Allen, Ph.D., UNMC professor of pediatrics and a psychologist for the Munroe-Meyer Institute, the app uses evidence-based naturalistic teaching procedures to foster communication.
“We wanted to help parents do more to help their children learn basic communication skills. We wanted to develop something that could assist parents right in their homes, and we wanted something that was supported by research,” Dr. Allen said. “Naturalistic teaching that provides pictures of objects and prompts for parents fit all of these requirements.”
“We” is Dr. Allen and BehaviorApp, LLC — a Lincoln, Neb.-based smartphone app development company.
“This will allow us to put the experience of a professional like Dr. Allen into the hands of many families of children with autism,” said Evelyn Bartlett, BehaviorApp CEO.
Dr. Allen emphasized that the app is designed to supplement, not be a substitute for trained professionals who specialize in treating speech and communication problems in children with autism.
A limited number of apps, which retail for $24.99, are being offered free of charge to families of children with autism. For more information, contact Craig Lutz-Priefert at BehaviorApp, LLC at craig@sectornow.com or 402-426-2444.
The CDC’s most recent figures reported that 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.