Tuesday, April 2, 2013

AssistiveWare talks autism apps, price challenges and iOS versus Android

"Our main goal is to create products for people that really make a difference in your life," said David Niemeijer

According to the National Autistic Society in the UK, there may be more than 500k people in the UK with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), approximately 134k children -. Defined as less than 18 years old

figures must not forget on April 2, which is designated by the UN as the global awareness of autism.

is also a day to examine how smartphones and tablet applications are used by people with communication needs of TSA and other stations such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and developmental disorders.

one of the developers that make these applications is AssistiveWare, which reached me this video on YouTube of a six year old girl named Ruby, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication Proloquo2Go (AAC) application on an iPad.

is a shocking video, so I talked to the CEO David Niemeijer for details. The company made the AAC office software since 2000, but saw an opportunity in the Apple App Store at its launch in 2008.

"In the past, there was very expensive equipment which could cost ? 5k or ? 3k" he said. "In 2009, only a thousand of these devices sold in England, but it was estimated that there are around 300,000 people in England who could really benefit from having this technology. "

Proloquo2Go launched for the iPhone and iPod touch in April 2009 - the last device is perhaps more important than the first for children with ASD -. Before extending the iPad in 2010, when the device is on sale

The application displays the on-screen buttons for words and phrases that are used by its users to form sentences that are spoken by the application. It can be customized by the parents based on the child's age, abilities and interests.

Niemeijer is emphasized that the Ruby video shows the impact that the application was for a particular child - "do not pretend that our application is the only option: there are cases where one of our competitors may be a better choice "- but he says reflects the impact of AAC technology being consumer devices and more expensive, specialized equipment

"For someone like Ruby, who has an iPod touch in hand, while in gym class works much better than taking expensive equipment," he said. "And indeed the traditional arrangements often remain in the classroom, so that the child goes to the playground or in the cafeteria would not have access to communication. "

It has become increasingly clear over the last five years during which many children have an instinctive sense of the touch screen technology and resulting applications. Children with ASD are not different, and in fact can get even more benefits.

"Especially children with autism have this instant attraction to the iPad," said Niemeijer. "They have no problem with eye / hand coordination as a mouse with an iPad, which is straightforward. Move your finger on the screen and drag you with a user interface that is much more fluid for them. ".

applications like Proloquo2Go and his big brother Pictello are not just for kids, even though they constitute the majority of its users. Approximately 20% of users are between AssistiveWare five years or less, and 40% are between 6-12 years and 12-18 years 20% according Niemeijer.

"But will the good people of 90 years who use applications that had any type of surgery, or if you have some kind of condition," he said. "We have a very wide range of users, so what is important is highly customizable."

which will last until the next update Proloquo2Go 3.0, which include expressions over the voice of the application. A word like "mom" can speak a call, questioning, angry or complain even tone, for example.

Niemeijer AssistiveWare laughs recalling giving a presentation at an industry conference just before the release of the application in 2009, when the company asked the audience what they thought of the Application should cost. Guesses range from $ 600 to $ 3k before the great revelation that his introductory launch price would be $ 149.99.

"People were surprised and said:" You can not do that, "However, people who are not in this field, the application seems expensive," said Niemeijer.



"We can not go down too well: it should have a sales volume of incredibly impossible to manage the business and to continue to improve and innovate better to charge a little more forward as many do certainly not. users to leave after two years, because you can not make ends meet. "
Find best price for : --Android----AssistiveWare----Pictello----iPod----Niemeijer----David--

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