A new website has just been launched, designed to help families connect quickly and easily with providers of special needs support.
Called atypicalsmile.com, the website was created by Stephanie Durrleman, a university researcher specializing in autism, and Michal Starke, a university professor with a talent for programming and creating organizations that bring people together.
Asked why she and Michal decided to set up the website, Stephanie told knowitall.ch,”For personal reasons, I have had to to face the challenge of finding appropriate carers and activities for a child with autism. When people found out I was doing this, they asked me for help because they were struggling with the same task. I ended up hiring caregivers for various children on the autistic spectrum for years. If I hadn't been a researcher, this procedure would have taken much longer than it did and the kids would have lost precious time during their critical period for language acquisition (early intervention is scientifically proven to be more effective than late intervention), while now they are verbal and bilingual today.
She continued, “I feel really strongly that parents should not lose time by relying on word of mouth and hoping for the best (the option most have to apply now). I mentioned to my colleague, Michal, my plan to create a web tool specifically for families in this challenging situation, and he helped to make it happen. Atypicalsmile.com gives families instant access to a database, which they can use to identify potential caregivers, before applying their own personal screening techniques to make sure that the person matches their child’s needs."
To access the atypicalsmile.com website, users just need to sign up and create a profile either as a family or caregiver. Once their account has been activated, they can then search on various criteria, such as autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, to produce a list of caregivers of potential interest. Crucially, the site contains an “anonymous” messaging service that allows users to correspond with each other without revealing any personal information (no last name, e-mail address, etc) until they are comfortable enough to provide that information.
Stephanie is clear to point out that it is essential to remember when viewing the results of any search on the site that none of the caregivers who are listed on the site have been formally verified by Atypicalsmile. So, even though there is quite a lot of information provided on each caregiver, such as their qualifications, experience level, and methods used, it is imperative that users perform their own background checks.
Stephanie concluded, “The aim of the website is simply to speed up the process of putting families in touch with potential caregivers. I didn't have anything this sophisticated at my disposal when I was searching for help, and it would have changed my life had it been available at the time, saving me tons of time and energy!”
At the moment, the website only covers caregivers in Switzerland, but the idea is to expand the service to neighboring countries in the near future. Stephanie is also hoping to develop the database to include information on other special needs-friendly services such as holiday destinations, restaurants, and camps, etc. She would also like to implement some kind of rating service so that families have a better idea of the quality of service provided by caregivers listed on the site.
ASK Information Day
As a former volunteer of the local special needs organization, ASK - All Special Kids, Stephanie reminded us of another important event coming up in the calendar for families looking for special needs help. Adopting the theme, “Are we doing enough for our Children with Learning Differences and Special Educational Needs?”, the ASK Information Day will be held on Saturday, 8 November in Grand Saconnex near Geneva, and will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to find out more about local support services, and to meet specialists and providers in one place. There will be a conference program including some of the top professionals in the special needs field, as well as information stands, workshops, and a supervised children’s corner. Click here for more information.
Atypicalsmile
Atypicalsmile.com
ASK Information Day
Ecumenical Centre
150 route de Ferney
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Saturday, 8 November, 2014
10h to 15h
www.allspecialkids.org/wp/geneva-events/geneva-ask-information-day-2014/
