Technology for Autism Now Awarded $50,000 TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation Grant

Technology for Autism Now recently received a $50,000 grant from the TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation.

Technology for Autism Now or TAN sought support from the TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation to assist with their vision of creating a suite of mobile applications that will support the specific deficits that children with autism experience.

TAN was founded by Roslindale's Marie Duggan. Said Duggan, "TAN’s vision is to create a technology-based toolkit for those in the autism community based on the enormous amount of unique customized visual supports that took countless hours for me to create for my son Michael. When Michael was first diagnosed, I was completely isolated. There were no community resources, no Googling the web, no support system and no one I knew that had a child like mine; there was absolutely nothing. Today TAN can provide parents, caregivers and teachers with the tools they need to help their children learn.” 

The TAN apps will provide tools for parents/caregivers, teachers or other professionals that are easy to use and customize so that they can be uniquely utilized for each individual child in a simple intuitive way. In addition, by using new mobile devices including iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, TAN can provide a platform that is colorful, engaging and rewarding for the individual with autism. This platform is instantly customizable with camera and video capabilities and can provide data feedback and much more.

The TAN apps will enhance teaching, communication and structure for children with an autism spectrum disorder.  With the proper implementation, these applications will help them develop vocational skills as they mature into young adults. This grant will go towards the development of these Structural/Behavioral applications across all iOS devices including iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches. 

Combined with the strengths of their collaborators FableVision, a children’s media company, and Getfused, a digital marketing agency, both located in Boston’s Innovative District, and the support from Boston and Mayor Thomas Menino's continued commitment to providing a model for supporting individuals with autism, TAN is currently in the process of pilot testing their first app in the Boston Public Schools, as well as at a few other leading health and academic institutions.

“We would like to thank the TripAdvisor Charitable Foundation for supporting TAN.  he grant will greatly assist TAN in furthering our efforts of providing quality assistive technology communication solutions for the autism community,” said Duggan.  

“We are proud to support TAN and the important work they do,” said Steve Kaufer, co-founder and CEO of TripAdvisor. “TAN is changing the way we teach children with autism and we are thrilled to help them toward their goal.”

For more information on TAN, please visit their website at http://tech4autismnow.org or contact Marie Duggan at 617-435-2307.  

Technology for Autism Now, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing quality assistive technologycommunication solutions for the autism community. TAN Inc. collaborates with parents, caregivers, teachers and all related health professionals to advocate for quality communication tools and emerging technology solutions.