Motivating autistic children
The founder of Spectrum Tailored Technologies Ltd, Rachael Malthouse, realised that her autistic son needed additional motivation when undertaking certain activities, particularly when getting dressed and cleaning his teeth. Funding was obtained and, after an aborted start, Japeto’s mobile app development services were selected for the creation of a free autism app for children aged 5 to 14 years old and their carers to use.
Up jumped Jam Up!
We were tasked with building a mobile app which would be available on iOS and Play stores, creating a backend to save information for analytical purposes, and improving existing web-based features and adding others. A tight timescale was necessary.
The free autism app was built using React Native, and Skia and Reanimated for 2D animations.
Our process included: requirements gathering, incorporating a MoSCoW requirements list; user flow diagrams and designs (Figma); iterative development using Agile; and adding sounds and music. We collaborated with animation agency Yellow Mouse Studios, to produce the image files, and provided sprite sheets so they could animate some creatures.
Revenuecat was used to handle subscription payments, including a 7-day free trial and monthly and annual subscription options. Anonymous login options for sign-up were included, so the user could try out the mobile app without registering. Some additional features, behind a paywall, encourage more sign-ups. Japeto hosts the app and its backend and handles support for app store users.
Some additional improvements were added during the development process, thanks to support and funding from Cornwall County Council.
The user experience
The Jam Up! mobile app helps carers of autistic children and empowers such children to undertake everyday tasks by using play. Autistic children aged 5-14 can now easily complete the everyday tasks of dressing and cleaning their teeth, using digital play. Each of those tasks has been made into a digital game, guided by a cartoon pet, which they can choose.
Children can structure how they are going to get dressed – what item of clothing they are going to put on first/next. Then, by use of a timer, they try to get that item on in the time that has been set, so that their pet gets a reward.
A successful launch
Following vigorous testing (including colour contrast testing for WCAG compliance) and necessary fixes, the free autism app was successfully submitted by us to the app stores. It met their terms and conditions and was published. The app immediately received a 5-star review and was featured on a regional BBC news programme for the South West of England, Spotlight.
Jam Up! has already seen amazing results and Rachael is keen to include further daily tasks in the free autism app.
Japeto has been absolutely incredible! Their expertise in design-led
thinking brought Jam Up! to life in ways we couldn’t have imagined and is
having positive impact on so many autistic children. The team’s dedication,
innovation, and professionalism have been outstanding from start to finish.
Highly recommend them to anyone looking for cutting-edge digital solutions!”