I am the father of a girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and over the years I have shared experiences with colleagues, friends and other families who also live with this condition. Additionally, my work in out-of-hospital emergencies has allowed me to interact with children, adolescents and adults with ASD in very diverse contexts, both personally and professionally.
This sum of experiences —in the family, social and work environment— has given me a broad and practical perspective on the communication difficulties that many people with ASD face, especially in situations of stress, urgency or misunderstanding. Without seeking it, I have gained direct experience that has allowed me to identify real needs that are still not fully covered.
One of the most significant barriers is communication. The inability or difficulty to express basic needs, emotions or critical situations can generate frustration, anxiety and, in contexts such as a medical emergency, even compromise the person's safety.
For this reason, the initiative arises to develop PictoVeu, a pictogram-based app that facilitates accessible, fast and intuitive communication. The goal is to offer a useful tool not only for people with ASD, but also for their families, caregivers and professionals from various fields: healthcare, emergencies, education and pedagogy.
"This work is not based on theory, but on lived experience and the desire to provide a practical solution to a real need."
— Lauren Cedran Ripoll
Creator of PictoVeu