Communication System for Autistics

[falconmaster]

I am the father of a son that has autism and he is now 10 years old and still non verbal. Being the lead mentor of team 842 Falcon Robotics has taught me to reach for the impossible. While my son still cannot speak for himself, I along with some other mentors of team 842 helped to develop the world's first Internet based AAC, Alternative & Augmentative Communication system. The current paradigm is that you first have to get your son or daughter diagnosed and qualified to be subscribed an AAC that typically cost from 10 to 15 thousand dollars. It is a stand alone device that must be programed to display pictures and usually done on a touch screen. The person then selects a picture or sequence of pictures for the device to then speak the words so people can understand what they want. After the insurance company denies the script for the AAC device-(autism is not "treatable" therefore insurance does not pay) you then have to go to the state to see if they have funding to help parents. If they do great, you must wait one year before you can get the device. If the state cannot help, then you are on your own. This system sucks! I got together with Karen Suhm a mentor on our team and with the help of my wife and two speech therapists came up with a system that is internet based and non specific device dependent. You can use what ever internet accessible device you have, with what ever HID you have such as a mouse or touch screen. Soon Iphone will have flash and you will be able to use your Iphone or Itouch as well. Think of all those teenagers and adults that don't want to look different because they are using a weird looking machine, now they can use their Iphone! You can get a net book with touch screen for $299 ( http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/ ) and start using the new system right away. Oh I also meant to also tell you that we will only charge $40 a month and no time contracts, sign up and quit when you want. You would be able to have 20 years of service for the price of one of the existing systems on the market today! The pages you create can also be published offline so you don't need the internet to use the system, only to create the pages. We created a company called Alexicomtech named after my son. www.alexicomtech.com The system can be even be used on a smart board where students with special needs can walk up and touch the pic of their choice and the computer will talk for them. I along with the other people in the new company hope to bust the old paradigm of the AAC system and get the parents the help they need without ruining them financially. For less than the price of one pizza party you can now get an AAC system with more capabilities than anything out on the market. Please check it out and refer anyone one you know that might need it. Thanks.

It was FIRST that helped teach me and my fellow mentor how to solve problems and do it for the betterment of all people.It was also FIRST that brought Karen and I together. I will get off my soapbox now. Please feel free to give us any comments on how to make the system better. We are currently under review by the Phoenix Union High School Distinct and may be selected for a 5 year contract if we are lucky. We are competing against Dyna Vox http://www.dynavoxtech.com/ they were the other company that put in for the bid request. I don't believe that they meet the web based criteria. We have the patent for that! Wish us luck!