A new application developed by Spicy Minds seeks to assist families navigating the challenges of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism while they await formal diagnoses. Giving adults the ability to get immediate and relevant insight into how children are feeling and behaving is vital, said Ben Cosh, CEO of Spicy Minds.
Cosh emphasizes that the app does not offer a diagnosis but instead delivers a clearer picture for parents grappling with uncertainty. What it does do is give parents a really good look at what’s going on,” he said. The app features a variety of effective strategies that families can use to minimize stress. It reduces the stress of everyday life whilst they endure the effects of lengthy NHS waiting times.
The timing of this app’s launch is notable as more than 2 million families are still awaiting long waits for assessments. Nicola Bennett from Almondsbury, who was forced to wait five years for son Zach’s autism diagnosis. Bennett, a program alumna, shared her journey and reiterated the need for access to capital. She said, “If I had access to the app those five years, I would have used it.” I think that’s really good to have. Her sentiments illustrate the dilemma that many parents are still struggling with today as they try to find answers for their children’s needs.
Bennett began this process with little knowledge of autism. She hopes the app would have made a huge difference for her family to help them understand and process during those awful weeks of waiting. She suggested including an option to link users with support networks, charities and local services. This inclusion would be a huge step to increase the app’s usefulness.
Cosh agreed, emphasizing the importance of giving help to families living under the same circumstances. “Parents shouldn’t have to wait years to understand their child’s needs and get practical support,” he remarked. The new application seeks to do the latter, giving parents indispensable tools that will empower them on their journey to find answers and help.
