Doncaster dad develops app to help his autistic son communicate with the world

A software developer from Doncaster has created an app that helps his autistic son talk and communicate.

Karl Aboltins-Roe decided to put his skills to good use and make an app named Bright Speak that could help neurodivergent children all over the country.

He was inspired by his son Michael who is six years old and autistic.

Karl, 39, from Edenthorpe told us: “Michael has been none verbal since he was around two years old.

“He attends Coppice school which has helped him a lot.

“Since starting to use the app he has improved so much.

“He can tell us when he wants his favourite food, which is noodles, and he can correctly identify colours.

“Michael can now say some words and his communication over all has really improved.”

The app allows children to press pictures on screen to show their parents what they want or need.

There are sections for favourite food, colours, numbers and learning games.

“The app also calms him down when he is over stimulated,” he continued.

“He likes to play the games and hear the music, it has really helped him.”

Karl works as a software developer by day at One Call Insurance but uses his spare time to build the app.

Michael was the only child in mind when he started the app project but now he wants to share it with other parents who could benefit.

“I want people to review and use the app then give me feed back,” Karl said.

“Not every autistic child is the same and will have the same needs.

“I made this for Michael but I can add other features that would help different children.”

The app has been downloaded around 90 times so far but Karl has ambitions of seeing it grow and helping many more families.

“It can be really hard to be a parent of an autistic child,” he said.

“If I can just take away five per cent of someone's stress then it will be worth it.

“The app is free and has no ads and it will always be, I have no intention of ever charging people for it.”

You can find out more information on Bright Speaks on their website https://www.brightsenapps.com/