April is World Autism Month. April 2, in particular, is World Autism Awareness Day. And on that day Mylo Speech Buddy App, a speech development system designed to assist individuals with speech delay and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), was formally launched.
I was fortunate to have been invited to witness this occasion.
Did you know that there are around 75 million people worldwide who have been diagnosed with ASD? And autism prevalence has increased by more than 100% since 2000. In the Philippines, 1 in every 100 Filipinos are in the spectrum. Speech and occupational therapy would help improve their communication, physical, and social skills. But one of the main challenges that families with members with ASD face, especially here in the country, is the cost and availability of such therapies.
Mylo Speech Buddy aims to bridge that gap through the app that employs a video modeling method. Video modeling is proven effective in helping individuals in the spectrum enhance their vocabulary, understand instructions, and express their feelings. There are currently around 10 modules in the app that the child and their parents can watch 6 times a day — twice in the morning, twice in the afternoon, and twice in the evening. More content will be added soon.
Take note, though, that Mylo Speech Buddy is not meant to be a replacement of therapy. Rather, after early diagnosis, the app is meant to be a complement to therapy, to reinforce what was done with the doctor or specialist while at home with the family.
What’s great about this app is that it’s made by parents with children with ASD in collaboration with medical professionals, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists. Vincent Rocha, President and CEO of Mylo Speech Buddy, has a son with autism, and his experience was one of the main reasons the app was created.
Esteemed speakers were also in the event: Dr. Francis Dimalanta, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician; Teacher Worthy Habla, Senior Speech Language Pathologist; and Teacher Katherine Tiuseco, Speech Language Pathologist and Content Creator. They each shared their insights on autism and working with individuals in the spectrum.
Mylo Speech Buddy is a subscription on-demand app, with a monthly fee of PHP1,000 (around USD17.66) and a 7-day free trial. But good news because you can claim a 1-month free premium access when you download the app this April 2024. It’s available on both Google Play and App Store so don’t miss this opportunity. About 18,000 users have benefited from this app — you sure will, too.
Learn more about Mylo Speech Buddy through their website, Facebook, and Instagram. Plus watch Ausome Stories of families with members with autism released by Mylo on the Lifelife PH Youtube Page.
