S.T.A.R.S. - Sensory Tools and Resources for Autism Support

Autism Unity Initiative (AUI)

The specific problem within the Challenge that I am working to solve is the developmental delays and increased diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic-induced isolation and limited social interaction have significantly impacted the developmental trajectories of these young children. This issue is critical, as early childhood development is a pivotal period for social, emotional, and cognitive growth, and disruptions during this time can have lasting effects.

Globally, millions of children have been affected by the pandemic's restrictions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF estimate that disruptions to early childhood services and education have impacted over 350 million children worldwide. Studies have shown that reduced social interaction, limited access to early childhood education, and increased screen time during the pandemic have contributed to developmental delays.

Research indicates that ASD diagnoses have risen by 10-20% in several countries during the pandemic. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in ASD prevalence from 1 in 54 children in 2016 to 1 in 44 children in 2021, with a portion of this increase attributed to the pandemic's effects.

We have developed an innovative app called S.T.A.R.S. (Sensory Tools and Resources for Autism Support), designed to provide comprehensive resources and engaging activities for children with autism while equipping caregivers and therapists with collaborative monitoring and configuration tools. S.T.A.R.S. addresses the unique needs of children on the spectrum and those with verbal delays, offering a safe and enriching environment for growth and development.

S.T.A.R.S. offers a variety of activities tailored to the developmental needs of children with autism, promoting sensory engagement and verbal skills in a controlled, non-overstimulating environment. Unlike platforms such as YouTube, which can be overly stimulating and detrimental to a child's development, S.T.A.R.S. provides structured and purposeful content designed by experts. The app includes activities that are specifically designed to advance children at an appropriate pace, making learning both fun and effective.

A key feature of S.T.A.R.S. is its ability to collect data on the child's engagement and progress, presenting it in a user-friendly format. This allows caregivers and therapists to track developmental milestones and make informed decisions about the child's therapy and care. Additionally, the platform encourages real-time collaboration among caregivers, therapists, doctors, and educators. By sharing insights, observations, and strategies, all users contribute to a comprehensive support network, ensuring a unified approach to the child's growth.

The development of S.T.A.R.S. involved a dedicated team of over ten professionals, including coders, entrepreneurs, and app designers, who collaborated through summer sessions and weekly meetings. Set to launch in September 2024, the app aims to aid autistic children with therapy supplements and offers valuable resources and collaborative tools for caregivers. I have collaborated with researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Autism Center for Excellence, doctors at UPMC Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, and occupational and speech therapists at the Pediatric Therapy Source and Watson Institute. Additionally, I leveraged technology to develop this mobile app and the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Autism Unity Initiative, which bridges the communication gap for these children, enhancing traditional therapy and ensuring that every child has access to the tools they need to thrive.

Our solution primarily serves parents and caregivers of children with autism, aiming to directly and meaningfully improve their lives by providing the necessary tools and resources to support their children's development. This diverse user base is currently underserved due to the overwhelming complexity and fragmentation of available resources and support systems.

Parents and caregivers often find themselves in an extremely overwhelming stage when their child is diagnosed with autism. They are typically pushed towards multiple avenues for various therapies and resources, making it challenging to find and execute a direct and credible pathway. Our app addresses this problem by offering comprehensive data insights in a user-friendly format. This empowers parents and therapists with a holistic view of the child's engagement and milestones, allowing them to make informed decisions in collaboration with doctors and educators. The app streamlines access to therapies and resources, significantly reducing the stress and confusion associated with navigating the complex landscape of autism support.

Furthermore, our solution impacts the lives of children with autism by providing engaging activities and resources tailored to their unique needs. These activities are designed to enhance their development and help them achieve crucial milestones. By using the app, children can benefit from consistent and structured support, which is essential for their growth and progress.

In addition to parents and children, the app serves therapists, doctors, and teachers by equipping them with collaborative monitoring and configuration tools. These tools facilitate better communication and coordination among the various professionals involved in a child's care, ensuring a more integrated and effective approach to therapy and education. By enabling real-time data sharing and progress tracking, the app enhances the ability of these professionals to provide personalized and targeted interventions.

Overall, our solution addresses the current underserved needs of parents, caregivers, and children with autism by providing a centralized, data-driven platform that simplifies access to resources, enhances communication among caregivers and professionals, and offers tailored activities to support children's development. This comprehensive approach ensures that every child receives the best possible support, leading to improved outcomes and a brighter future for those affected by autism.

As of now, we have developed a prototype of the S.T.A.R.S. app, focusing on creating an initial working version to gather feedback and conduct testing with users. The prototype includes foundational features such as sensory engagement activities, data collection on child engagement and progress, and basic collaboration tools for caregivers and therapists.

Throughout the development phase, we have engaged with a small group of users, including parents, therapists, and educators, to gather initial feedback on usability, content effectiveness, and interface design. We have also collaborated with the This feedback loop has been crucial in refining the app's functionality and ensuring it meets the needs of our target audience effectively.

While the app is in its prototype stage, we have not yet scaled up to serve a large number of beneficiaries. However, the feedback received from our initial users has been positive and constructive, indicating potential for broader impact once fully launched.

In addition to developing the app, I have led a team of professionals, including coders, entrepreneurs, and app designers, through collaborative efforts such as summer sessions and weekly meetings. These efforts have been instrumental in shaping the app's features and functionality based on collective expertise and user insights.

Moving forward, our focus remains on further refining the prototype based on ongoing feedback, preparing for a broader rollout to serve more beneficiaries effectively in the near future.

Our solution, the S.T.A.R.S. app (Sensory Tools and Resources for Autism Support), introduces innovative approaches to address the unique challenges faced by children with autism and their caregivers. Unlike generic children's apps available on the market, S.T.A.R.S. is specifically designed with activities tailored to support the sensory and developmental needs of children with autism. This focused approach ensures that the activities are beneficial without causing overstimulation, creating a conducive learning environment.

One of the distinguishing features of S.T.A.R.S. is its comprehensive data collection and analysis capabilities. The app gathers detailed insights into a child's engagement and progress through interactive sessions, presenting this information in an accessible format for caregivers and therapists. This data-driven approach not only aids in tracking developmental milestones but also enables personalized adjustments to therapy and intervention strategies.

Furthermore, S.T.A.R.S. fosters real-time collaboration among caregivers, therapists, doctors, and educators. This collaborative platform allows for the sharing of insights, observations, and strategies, promoting a unified and effective approach to supporting children with autism.

Currently, there is no other app on the market that combines tailored autism-specific activities, comprehensive data insights, and real-time collaboration features in a single, accessible platform. Moreover, while there are various apps for children available, there is a notable absence of free, specialized apps dedicated to supporting children with autism. S.T.A.R.S. aims to fill this gap, potentially catalyzing positive impacts by setting a new standard for autism support apps and changing the landscape by making crucial resources more accessible to families and professionals alike.

I am applying to The Amgen Prize because it represents an opportunity to further develop and scale our S.T.A.R.S. app, which is dedicated to supporting children with autism and their caregivers. The Prize could provide crucial financial support that would enable us to expand our app's features, enhance usability, and reach a broader audience effectively. This funding could also help us overcome technical barriers by investing in advanced data analytics and user interface improvements, ensuring our app remains cutting-edge and user-friendly.

Additionally, The Amgen Prize's recognition and support would help us navigate potential legal and regulatory challenges associated with app development and distribution. By providing mentorship and access to industry experts, the Prize could facilitate strategic partnerships and alliances that are essential for scaling our impact and navigating the complex healthcare and technology landscapes.

Culturally, The Amgen Prize could amplify our efforts to raise awareness about autism and promote inclusive practices in digital health solutions. This recognition would bolster our credibility and visibility within the autism community and among healthcare professionals, fostering trust and adoption of our app.

Moreover, The Amgen Prize could help us overcome market barriers by supporting our efforts to make the S.T.A.R.S. app more widely available and accessible. This includes expanding our reach to underserved communities and regions where resources for children with autism are limited.

Our team is well-positioned to deliver the S.T.A.R.S. app because we have a deep understanding of and proximity to the communities we aim to serve—families of children with autism and the professionals who support them. As the Team Lead, I have a personal connection to this cause, having been deeply impacted by the challenges faced by families during the diagnosis and treatment of autism. This personal experience drives my commitment to developing a solution that truly meets the needs of our target population.

Our team comprises individuals who are either directly affected by autism or have close personal or professional ties to the autism community. This diversity ensures that our design and implementation decisions are informed by firsthand experiences and insights from those who understand the daily realities and challenges faced by children with autism and their caregivers.

From the outset, the design of the S.T.A.R.S. app has been guided by input and feedback from the autism community. We have engaged with parents, therapists, educators, and autism advocacy groups to gather insights into their needs, preferences, and priorities. This participatory approach has shaped every aspect of our app, from the selection of sensory activities to the design of user interfaces that are intuitive and accessible.

Moreover, we have conducted pilot testing and user feedback sessions with members of the community to validate our design choices and refine the app based on real-world usage. This iterative process ensures that S.T.A.R.S. is not only technologically sound but also deeply resonant with the values and aspirations of the autism community.

Next Year: Within the next year, our primary goal is to launch the S.T.A.R.S. app and achieve meaningful adoption among our target audience. Specifically, we aim to:

1. Reach 10,000 downloads: Measure the number of downloads and active users of the S.T.A.R.S. app within the first year to gauge adoption and engagement.
2. Collect user feedback: Conduct regular surveys and feedback sessions to gather insights from users (parents, caregivers, therapists) on the app's effectiveness, usability, and impact on children's development.
3. Establish partnerships: Forge strategic partnerships with at least 5 autism advocacy organizations, healthcare providers, or educational institutions to enhance app visibility and accessibility.

Next Five Years: Over the next five years, our vision is to scale the impact of the S.T.A.R.S. app nationally and potentially globally, expanding our reach and continuously improving the app's features and effectiveness. Specifically, we aim to:

1. Expand to 100,000+ users: Measure user growth and engagement metrics to ensure widespread adoption and continued impact on children with autism and their families.
2. Enhance features based on data insights: Utilize comprehensive data analytics to refine and enhance the app's activities, customization options, and user experience.
3. Impact assessment: Conduct longitudinal studies or collaborate with research institutions to measure the app's impact on children's developmental milestones, communication skills, and overall quality of life.
4. Community integration: Establish the S.T.A.R.S. app as a trusted resource within the autism community, promoting inclusivity and continuous improvement through ongoing engagement and feedback loops.

Measurement and Achievement:

To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we will employ a combination of quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback loops:

• Quantitative Metrics: Track metrics such as app downloads, active users, session duration, and user engagement rates to monitor growth and adoption.
• Qualitative Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from users through surveys, focus groups, and direct interactions to assess satisfaction levels, usability, and perceived impact.
• Partnership and Collaboration: Evaluate the success of partnerships based on increased visibility, reach, and support network expansion within the autism community.
• Impact Studies: Collaborate with research institutions to conduct studies that assess changes in developmental milestones and quality of life indicators among children using the app.

The S.T.A.R.S. app aims to have a significant impact on children with autism by addressing their specific developmental needs through tailored activities and supportive tools for caregivers and therapists. Here’s how we expect our solution to create positive change:

1. Activities and Engagement: The app provides interactive activities designed to stimulate sensory engagement and promote verbal skills in a controlled environment. By offering these tailored activities, we aim to enhance cognitive development and social interaction skills among children with autism.

2. Data-Driven Insights: S.T.A.R.S. collects data on each child’s engagement and progress during activities. This information is crucial for caregivers and therapists, enabling them to track developmental milestones and adjust interventions effectively. By using data to inform decisions, we expect to see improved outcomes in communication, behavior management, and overall developmental progress.

3. Collaborative Support Network: The app fosters real-time collaboration among caregivers, therapists, doctors, and educators. This collaborative approach ensures that all stakeholders are aligned in supporting the child’s growth and development. By sharing insights, strategies, and progress updates, we aim to create a cohesive support network that enhances the quality and consistency of care.

4. Long-Term Outcomes: Over time, we anticipate that consistent engagement with S.T.A.R.S. will lead to improved communication skills, reduced behavioral challenges, and increased independence among children with autism. These outcomes are critical for enhancing their quality of life and preparing them for greater inclusion in educational and social settings.

A total of 20 people; 5 Full-time staff and 15 part-time staff

2 years

Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is foundational to our team developing the S.T.A.R.S. app and cultivating a supportive work environment. Our leadership and staff reflect diverse backgrounds and perspectives, enriching our decision-making and ensuring inclusivity in our solutions. We actively recruit from underrepresented groups and prioritize cultural competence and empathy through training and development. Open communication, equitable opportunities, and community engagement are core to our inclusive approach, fostering a welcoming environment where all team members contribute and thrive. Continuous assessment and adaptation drive our commitment to DEI, ensuring our efforts align with our mission to serve and empower the autism community effectively.

Our business model revolves around providing impactful solutions through the S.T.A.R.S. app to children with autism, caregivers, therapists, and educators. Our primary product is the S.T.A.R.S. app, offering a curated library of sensory activities tailored to support developmental milestones and enhance social interaction skills. Caregivers benefit from real-time data insights that track progress and inform personalized interventions, empowering them to actively participate in their child's therapy journey. Therapists and educators utilize the app's collaborative platform to share observations, strategies, and updates, ensuring coordinated care and optimized therapeutic outcomes. We sustain our impact through a subscription-based model, supplemented by strategic partnerships to broaden accessibility and support across diverse communities. Our goal is to continually innovate and expand our reach, ensuring that every child with autism receives the support they need to thrive.

Revenue Streams:

Our app is meant to be free, so we will not be having a subscription based system. Many individuals and parents are not able to afford appropriate therapies, but this platform aims to supplement that. 

1. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with healthcare providers, educational institutions, and autism advocacy organizations for sponsorships, co-development opportunities, and strategic alliances. These partnerships not only enhance app accessibility but also provide avenues for additional funding and support.

2. Grants and Fundraising: Continuously applying for grants, moonshot grants, and participating in fundraising initiatives to secure funding for research and development, app enhancements, and outreach programs. Grants provide essential capital to innovate and expand our impact while fundraising activities bolster community engagement and financial support.

• Moonshot Grants: We have applied to and received moonshot grants focused on innovative solutions for children with autism, which have provided initial funding for app development and pilot testing.
• Donations and Fundraisers: Through targeted fundraising campaigns and community outreach, we have successfully raised funds to support specific initiatives, such as enhancing app features based on user feedback and expanding outreach efforts to underserved communities.
• Partnership Contributions: Strategic partnerships with leading healthcare providers and educational institutions have not only expanded our user base but also brought in financial contributions through sponsorship and joint development agreements.

Looking ahead, our revenue model is structured to cover expected expenses associated with app maintenance, user support, ongoing research, and scalability efforts. By diversifying our income streams and leveraging strategic partnerships, we aim to achieve financial sustainability while continuing to innovate and meet the evolving needs of our users in the autism community.

In summary, our financial sustainability plan combines subscription revenue, strategic partnerships, and targeted fundraising efforts to ensure the continued growth and impact of the S.T.A.R.S. app. Our track record of securing grants, donations, and partnerships underscores our ability to effectively fund our work and advance our mission of supporting children with autism and their families worldwide.