Autism: there's an app for help

TAMPA - For families with autistic children, simply communicating can be one of the toughest challenges they face. But one of today's most popular and commonplace items is opening a whole new world for a South Tampa family.

Janeen Henson says understanding her 10-year-old autistic daughter was a daily struggle until they got an iPod Touch.

"It has made a huge difference in her life and in ours. She has gone from so frustrated, not being able to communicate with us to be able to easily be at home in her own home," Henson said.

Now Ana Henson uses her I-Touch all the time, to answer questions and to ask for what she wants. A special "app," or application, called ProLoQuoToGo , shows and verbalizes basic needs such as "I want" along with pictures.

Ana's therapist, Beth Granucci, says it has changed her life for the better.

"She's able to express herself verbally so much better," Granucci said.

Ana's teacher, Michelle Stainton, also sees a huge difference in Ana's ability to communicate.

"She will use it to answer questions about the calendar, the clock. She will use it for subtraction. She will spell," Stainton said.

Stainton also likes the fact that just about every kid these days has an iPod.

"Our children are very different already, and for them to be able to use an iIPhone or an iTouch, when everybody else is using the same thing, just makes them blend in a little better," Stainton said.

Stainton also points out that the device is much less expensive than specialized equipment.

"With the iTouch, it's $100. The application is $150, versus a Dynavox, which is at least $1,000, and that's a lot of money for parents to spend and also the school system."

Janeen Henson agrees. She says it was a relief finding something to help Ana that was affordable.

"It was so nice having something that was not gonna break our budget, that we could have immediately and actually it works. As opposed to something that we'd have to research and spend a lot of money on and pay for out of pocket because it's not covered by insurance."

But for Henson and her family, the biggest benefit of all is having a calmer, happier child.

"Having her be that much more a part of our family, not isolated, because she couldn't communicate with us," she said.

To find out more about the app: http://www.proloquo2go.com/