What are we trying to solve?
Autism spectrum disorder is a broad term described for neurodevelopmental disorder and a range of conditions a person with ASD may have. About one-third of people with ASD are non-verbal. It means that they are not able to communicate their needs, feelings, and emotions via the common vocal language that we use. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have those needs, it simply means that their way of expressing themselves is different.
Currently, sign language, hand gestures, written communication, and other body language techniques are commonly used methods for communication with them. There are certain technologies and methods like Picture Exchange Communication system (PECS), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) available and used but all of these have their own set of limitations.
Autistic people may not be able to learn sign language and its usage is only limited to people who know it.
Children below a certain age may not be comfortable writing everything as their vocabulary is not developed yet.
Body and hand gestures of neuro-atypicals can be misunderstood by neurotypicals, strangers, or someone who doesn’t know them. Its use is also limited to close family members.
PECS may have a limited card vocabulary and not an exhaustive list of all needs, feelings, and emotions. Moreover carrying a card for each need, emotion, feeling at different time intervals is a challenging task
AAC devices come close to solving some of the above issues but again consist of an abundant vocabulary of words and sentences that are not customized or intelligently optimized to a specific child’s needs.
All the above issues lead us to come together and build a solution with a vision to help non-verbals communicate easily, efficiently, and with the least effort and hence the launch of Xpressor.
Xpressor - PECS based app for non-verbals
"Xpressor" is a mobile application that uses assistive cards to communicate. The app can be used by anyone who is non-verbal, has learning or speech development disorder related to but not limited to Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Down Syndrome, etc. We have made the technology interactive using Design Thinking principles- our assistive cards have a text-to-speech functionality that adds voice to every card. One of the main differentiators in Xpressor is the machine learning algorithm. It detects the behavior and usage patterns of users and shows the most relevant cards based on these patterns, and other factors such as time, location, etc
Less scroll, less confusion, enabling effective communication.
Benefits of using Xpressor
It has a lower learning curve as compared to other assistive devices as smart algorithms automatically detect the card to be displayed.
Can be used by all age groups.
Easily understandable to any individual- parent, guardian, family, or even a stranger.
Empower and enable non-verbals to communicate their needs, emotions, and feelings easily.
Less cost and more efficient solution.
Demonstrating below how young Charlie is using Xpressor to inform about his need
Charlie is hungry and is thinking about cookies
He opens Xpressor app on his phone
Selects the cookies options in the Assistive cards
Voila!!! Charlie is enjoying his favourite cookies