Android is Now Autism Aware
Android4Autism Update 11/10/2011
06 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
I would like to thank everyone for their continued patience as I work to get this off the ground.
I’m hoping to move forward around Feb 2012 with a pending 501c3 status. I have also been met with delays because of my own personal life. This summer 2 of my own kids have been met with serious health issues that has diverted my attention and rightfully so. My family comes first in all things as I’m sure you can all understand. You can read about my family’s struggle at www.lostandtired.com.
Thank you again for all your patience and support as I work to get this off the ground.
Thanks
Rob Gorski
Houston, we have a major victory
18 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
As the title states, every once in a while you have a major victory. Today was one such day. It started out pretty rough and continued that way until right about bedtime. I was playing with Emmett and all of a sudden he walked over to the trampoline.
Now normally, the trampoline would be on the floor but today we had be working on some OT exercises, so it was leaned up against the chair. Emmett walked over to
the trampoline and started spelling the words he saw written on it. This isn’t exactly breaking news because he has read off a few letters before. However, this time was a first because he got them all correct, including the lower case letters. I didn’t even know that he knew those yet.
The only thing that I can think of is that he is just absorbing everything around him. He just turned 3 so I think this is pretty darn amazing, especially for a child that until recently was only pre-verbal and couldn’t speak. Emmett has been using his little Android4Autism device for about 6 months or so. He has learned his letters from the puzzle and alphabet games. I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear this come out of his mouth. I’m not sure that he is recognizing words yet but I think he’s starting to. He will point to things that he wants but can not say the name of and sometimes he does so by pointing at a word. Either way, I am so, so proud of you Emmett. You just made Daddy’s week 
I don’t often have really cool news like this so I wanted to be sure to share it right away. Hopefully, this will set the tone for the week ahead.
Acoustic for Autism, our newest partner
08 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
Acoustic for Autism
I would like to introduce you all to Acoustic for Autism. I was contacted by Acoustic for Autism’s founder and producer, Louis Gendron. Louis had heard about Android4Autism and he wanted to donate their entire music collection music to my campaign. Louis and I actually spoke on the phone for over an hour the other night and discovered that we have many things in common, including our passion for raising Autism Awareness and helping others in the Autism community.
Louis and I discussed the goals of our respective organizations and shared our experience thus far on our journey to raise our families and reach out to others. I’m going to quote the Acoustic for Autism website because I think they worded what they are all about very well:
The goal of Acoustic for Autism is to increase awareness, acceptance, understanding for those with autism and to help raise funds for non-profit autism organizations focused on making a direct and immediate impact for children with autism and their families.
Why? Because autism is on the rise. Estimates in 2011 are that 1 in every 91 children is diagnosed each year and 1.7 million American families are currently affected by autism. Autism has become the most rapidly growing developmental disability - more common than Down’s syndrome, childhood diabetes, and juvenile cancer combined.
Most children with autism require specialized education and support services for their entire lives. However, an early diagnosis and intensive education can change the course of this childhood disorder. By supporting Acoustic for Autism, you support our beneficiaries who are helping our children with autism reach their fullest potential!
We receive unique, previously unreleased acoustic-based songs donated by musicians and release them digitally. 100% of the proceeds are donated to autism non-profit organizations.
Needless to say I was very excited to have to oppurtunity to provide my Android4Autism families with this amazing music that The Boston Globe calls“magical…a profound listening experience”.
I listened to every single song on the album (several times actually), including all the singles and I have fallen in love with this music. It’s soothing, relaxing and at the risk of sounding corny, actually made me feel good. The track list (not including the singles) contains the following songs:
Every once in a while you hear a song that really speaks to you. I had one of these experiences while listening to Breathe by Analogue Transit. This song puts into words what I feel often times when looking at my life.
Take a listen for yourself to see if it touches you the same way. The whole Acoustic for Autism is filled with songs just as inspirational.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I’m amazed by the generosity of Louis and Acoustic for Autism organization. I’m very proud and excited to be working with them to help provide hope to families in the Autism community. Please check out the Acoustic for Autism website and support this great organization.
You can also find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
There is also a great write up by Awe in Autism. You can also read the story behind Acoustic for Autism at Awe in Autism as well.
Thank you Acoustic for Autism for all your support. I look forward to working together to raise Autism Awareness and help provide hope to those that may have lost it. Acoustic for Autism is a permanent addition to my personal playlist. I would encourage all of you to check out this album and help support the Autism community.
Remember that 100% of the proceeds go right back into the community.
You can purchase the CD by clicking on the image below.
The first Android4Autism device was delivered
08 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
We delivered the first Android4Autism device today to the McKay family. This was an amazing experience and will be something I will personally never forget. Kiersten already loves the device and had the most amazing smile when she saw it played movies. Her parents are both amazing people and very excited to start using it with her.
They will be keeping us updated as time goes on.
What a great beginning
- Lost and Tired
Post by WordPress for Android via Tegra 2 powered Motorola Photon 4G without the use of proper editing tools and disadvantages of a bastardized version of auto-correct.
Please Vote for Lost and Tired (just click the link) and help me spread Autism Awareness. Everyone can Vote once a day
Android4Autism is donating it’s very first device
08 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
Android4Autism and Lost and Tired are very excited to announce the first recipient of an Android4Autism device. The McKay family will be receiving a Samsung Epic 4G fitted with a custom ROM built specifically to meet the needs of children. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer McKay by phone yesterday afternoon to make arrangements and explain a bit about this particular device.
I’m so happy to be able to provide this device to the McKay family for their daughter, Kiersten. I look forward to delivering this device to them.
Here is a quote Jennifer McKay made to a previous post:
“My name is Jennifer and I received amazing news yesterday. My 6 year old daughter is going to receive this amazing item. Kiersten is non-verbal and it has been a pretty tough road. Not many people understand how frustating it can be to not know what your child needs when then can’t tell you. I am overflowing with joy to know that this product could change her life in such a positive way. This is amazing and I will keep updating to let everyone know of Kiersten’s progress. Thank you so so so much to Rob for giving us hope!!”
I would like to thank the following organizations for their support:
Intellijoy: the #1 creator of educational apps on the Android Market. Intellijoy has very generously donated full versions of ALL the educational Android apps.
Stuart Duncan: Autism Father. Stuart has graciously provided the hosting for both Android4Autism and Lost and Tired. He is a pillar in the Autism community and not only a good friend but a source of inspiration.
Bonsai:The Art of Growing Android: The Bonsai Android development team provided the kernel, root and recovery for the ROM used in this device. They will also be assisting in development on various other devices going forward. They are a great resource for the Android community and a group I have been able to rely on time and time again.
PPCGeeks: For all their support and assistance spreading Autism Awareness and spreading the word and helping to drum up attention for my Android4Autism campaign.
XDA-Developers: For all the support the community as a whole has provided for my mission to spread Autism Awareness and provide these devices to families and children that need them.
Android Creative Syndicate: From Spontaneous Ingenuity Come Creative Brilliance. ACS as a whole has taken a stand and are actively helping to spread Autism Awareness. They have provided networking support as well as friendship. They are a great Android resource for the community.
Android Activist : Providing networking and also helping to raise Autism Awareness.
If you would like to support Android4Autism please feel free to contact me.
A brief demo of Android4Autism
09 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
I’m releasing a brief demo of what an Android4Autism device is, how it functions, what’s included ect. I appoligize for the video quality but I think it gets the point across.
Android4Autism Update 8/07/2011
09 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
I wanted to update everyone on the status of Android4Autism. This project is very important to me for many reasons. I want to make sure that I do this correctly. I’m in the process of setting up a 501c3 charity corporation in order to ensure that this is done the right way.
This process has been delayed because of my son’s recent and ongoing health crisis. You can read our story at www.lostandtired.com for more details and to become more Autism Aware.
I’m very determined to get this done but right now I have other priorities. I believe that this can help alot of people and so I will not give up on this dream. I just wanted to keep everyone up to date.
- Lost and Tired
Post by WordPress for Android via Nexus S 4G without the use of proper editing tools and disadvantages of a bastardized version of auto-correct.
Please Vote for Lost and Tired (just click the link) and help me spread Autism Awareness. Everyone can Vote once a day
Announcement 6/13/2011
011 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
Excerpt for lostandtired.com:
“Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alex Turetsky, Director of Business Development at Intellijoy. Intellijoy is the #1 creator of educational apps on the Android Market. In fact today they released their newest app, Kids Shapes. If you remember the video I posted recently, featuring Emmett using his Android4Autism device, he was using Kids Shape Puzzle by Intellijoy. For those of following my families story, you know just how big a deal it is for Emmett to be able to do what he did in that video. Since using these apps he has learned dozens of new words that he didn’t know prior. He loves his Android4Autism device, he carries it with him EVERYWHERE and calls it his “puzzles”. Tonight, I so very pleased to announce that Intellijoy will be donating FULL versions of ALL their children’s apps to Android4Autism to be distributed on all the devices that we will be putting into the hands of Autistic children from around the US. I’m very excited about this because I truly believe this WILL make a difference in the lives of many Autistic children and their families. I don’t make it a habit of promoting companies on this blog because that’s not the purpose of Lost and Tired. However, Intellijoy is a company that is working to help our children learn through engaging and entertaining apps. My children benefit from the use of these applications and I know many more could as well. As special needs parents and members of the Autism community we should support companies like, Intellijoy, as they are providing low cost software that can turn your Android powered smartphone into a learning tool for your child.
So on behalf of Android4Autism and lostandtired.com, I want to THANK Intellijoy for helping to improve the lives our Autistic children and their families. If you have an Android powered smart phone and I KNOW many of you do, check out these apps on the Market. Help spread the word that these apps and others like it can be found on the Android Market.
As a community we need to support the companies that are providing resources for our kids….. More to come soon…”
Android4Autism
011 months ago
by Android4Autism
in Uncategorized
What is Android4Autism? Let me start by saying a bit about myself and my family. I’m the father of 3 boys on the Autism Spectrum. Our youngest has Autism Spectrum disorder and our oldest and middle child have Aspergers. You can please feel free to read our story at www.loastandtired.com.
In my “free time” I develop ROM’s for android powered smart phones. I use these ROM’s to spread Autism Awareness and it has worked really well. I was very aware of the iPad being used by many people to help children with Autism. The problem was that we couldn’t afford one. So I started thinking about using a spare Android device I had and turning it into something that would benefit my kids, perhaps even more then an iPad. I located some apps on the Android Market designed for children and I showed them to my youngest, Emmett. Emmett is severely speech and language delayed and we were desperate to help him. I wanted to have something to supplement speech therapy while at home. Below is a video of Emmett using his Android device and learning a new word. For a child that couldn’t talk, this was HUGE.
I got to thinking, I wonder if other Autistic children could benefit from this? The answer, I believe, is yes. Thus, Android4Autism was born. So what is Android4Autism and what is it’s purpose? Android4Autism seeks to put an Android powered device in the hands of an Autistic child who’s family couldn’t otherwise afford it. Trust me, I know exactly what it’s like know your child could benefit from something that you simply can’t afford for any number of reasons. How will we do this? The Android community is a very generous one and many of it’s members have taken on the responsibility of spreading Autism Awareness. The Android community by it’s very nature, lives on the bleeding edge of technology. This means that members of this community tend to upgrade quite often and are left with a device they are no longer using. Many of these members are willing to donate these devices to the Android4Autism cause.
When these devices are received, they are fitted with a custom ROM that is stripped down to the very basics and pre-loaded with children’s learning apps. Due to Androids open source nature, I can completely customize these devices and remove basically, anything I want, so that it’s more “kid friendly”. This type of customization is not possible on the iPad. These devices are much smaller then the iPad so they are very portable and easily handled by a young child. Another.
Another goal I have, is to shine a spotlight on Android and how Android devices can be used to help children with Autism. By generating more attention, maybe we can get more developers porting their iPad apps over to Android.
Right now I’m working on a lot of “behind the scenes” stuff. I’m just one person and I have a rather complicated life, so I’m working on this in my spare time. I’ll post more as I move forward. I am gaining some momentum so I’m making progress.
Thank you for your support.
You can follow me Android4Autism on twitter @Android4Autism and Facebook @ Android4Autism
I working hard on getting these site completed and up to speed. Thank you for your patience.
Rob Gorski
www.lostandtired.com
