An Awesome App for 'Ausome' Kids!

what a tech dad got to do when he finds out that his dear son is on the (autism) spectrum? Develop an awesome app, of course!

- LAI S. REYES

That's what Vincent Rocha, a seasoned entrepreneur, did. In 2023, he created the Mylo (My Little One) Speech Buddy app to help his then two-year-old son Noah, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2021, navigate the "ausome" world he was in.

ACCEPTANCE IS KEY

Vincent was distraught upon learning of Noah's condition, but soon realized that there was no time for brooding.

"You need to accept your child's prognosis," the doting dad advises. "And do something about it."

But finding a solution to improve his son's condition wasn't easy. It took him three months to book for a developmental pediatrician, another three months to get a second opinion until they were advised to get speech and occupational therapists.

"Based on the latest data, there are 1.2 million children diagnosed with ASD," notes Vincent. "The sad part? There are only 96 developmental pediatricians and 1,100 speech therapists in the country."

This reality makes it difficult for families to find the right support — and for professionals to reach those who need help.

ONE WORD AT A TIME

Sometimes, the world can feel overwhelming, chaotic, and unkind. But for children with ASD, the world is an even greater challenge. Simple tasks can feel like scaling Mt. Everest. And the desire to connect with others can sometimes feel just out of reach.

Noah, who is seven now, badly needed a speech therapist at the time of his diagnosis.

"Conversations are what we use to get around and accomplish tasks," notes Vincent. "Sadly, communicating is something most kids on the spectrum struggle with daily."