A CORK-based organisation is changing lives around the world with a free mobile app designed to help children and teens with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome develop critical social skills.
The SHINE Centre for Autism, which is based in Carrigaline, launched the Social Skills for Autism App in April and since then it has had almost 10,000 downloads, many overseas in the UK, US and Canada.
Harry Canning Hospital Manager Bon Secours Hospital Cork, Jeremy Cunningham Doodle Creative, Chris Davies Doodle Creative, Laura Crowley Shine.
Due to its overwhelming success, the have now announced that they will be releasing a follow up app next Spring.
“Social interaction is difficult for kids with autism and asperger’s and as a result they can find it hard to make firm friendships,” said Kieran McAuliffe, General Manager of The SHINE Centre.
“In 2009 we introduced our PALS Programme (Personal and Life Skills Programme) in a classroom setting and it has been highly successful but as it is classroom based we can only accommodate 18 per year.
“The data has shown that kids make huge leaps forward but we currently have a waiting list up to 2020 so came up with the idea of developing an app to share some of the aspects of the programme.”
Funded by the Bon Secours Hospital as part of the hospital’s Community Initiative Outreach Programme and developed in association with local graphic design and web development studio Doodle Creative, the app is a truly home grown enterprise.
Laura Crowley, who was responsible for the conceptual and content development of the Social Skills App, said:
“At the SHINE Centre for Autism we measure ourselves on the positive impact we have in the lives of children and teenagers with autism and their families.
“With the development of the Social Skills for Autism App we have taken another step in this process by bringing our very successful Personal and Life Skills Programme to the national and autism community.”
Given the success of the app to date, the Bon Secours Hospital have confirmed that they will fund a follow-up set for launch next March.
“Due to the uptake of the first social skills app, we are pleased to announce funding for a second that will continue to make a real difference in the lives of families affected by autism nationally and internationally, as we feel that such an innovative project by a Cork charity needs to be supported and commended.” commented Andrew McCarthy Mission Leader at the Bon Secours Hospital Cork.
The Social Skills for Autism App is free to download and is available on iTunes and the Google Play Store For more information visit www.kloogsocialskills.com.