The ‘Startup Cornwall powered by Slush’d’ pitch winner, Jam Up!, has some brilliant news to share.
Jam Up!, the groundbreaking prototype app co-developed with autistic children and their parent carers, has been recognized as the runner up in the prestigious Essex Care Tech Challenge. Designed to empower autistic children to gain autonomy in everyday tasks, using digital play, the app currently focuses on the essential skill of getting dressed.
The evaluation project conducted during the pilot testing phase showed incredibly positive results, with an astonishing 89% of the participating families reporting an increase in their child’s independence with getting dressed. One parent conveyed, “You can tell Jam Up! has been designed by people who truly understand the needs of autistic children.” Another expressed, “Jam Up! is more than a simple app for us. It is a practical tool that enables us to navigate our mornings and get out of the house smoothly.”
The positive impact of Jam Up! has even caught the attention of professionals in the field. Chloe Vincent, NELFT Autism and ADHD Specialist Occupational Therapist, remarked, “We desperately need an app like this, but unfortunately, we have not been able to create one ourselves.” Essex Childrens Servies Commissioner Hazel North-Stevens stated, “Jam Up! could evolve into the adult social care space and education setting too.”
Although there was no originally planned prize for second place, the judges recognized the exceptional value of Jam Up! and decided to support its final development. This investment will support some of the necessary adjustments and fine-tuning to ensure the app’s effectiveness and accessibility.
Jam Up! is set to revolutionize the lives of autistic children and their families, enabling them to navigate daily tasks and build independence. Future updates will expand the app’s capabilities beyond getting dressed, offering a wide range of practical tools tailored to the unique needs of autistic children.
For more information about Jam Up! and its upcoming release, follow us on https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090016329855 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-malthouse-874308273/
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Founder Rachael Malthouse a physiotherapist who originally developed Jam Up for her autistic son acknowledges the support received during the Essex Care Tech Challenge from families across Essex, Devon and Cornwall as well as Software Cornwall, Buzz Interactive Solutions ltd, Creative Growth Programme (Suzie West and mentor Michael Owens who attended the event), ICURE Discover Programme, Health Innovation East (Sophie Knight and Joanne Dempsay), Jonathon Holley and the team from DGMI and Breaking Barriers, Natasha Corness, Hazel North-Stevens, Sara McCracken, Angel Eyes, Gemma Eva, Dream the Change and Raw Learning. Their collective support and dedication highlight the power of collaboration and community engagement in creating innovative solutions for autistic children and their families.