Naranj

Abstract

Autism in children is a pressing concern that is seldom addressed in schools and by health professionals. Autistic children are disregarded and pushed to the sidelines instead of being encouraged to participate. The syllabi currently followed in schools in Pakistan is not inclusive of these children as it does not allow them to work at their own pace. The classroom setting may induce erratic behaviours in autistic children as some colours or objects may be off-putting. In addition, autistic children generally are not taught how to react to a change in their surroundings. Health professionals have limited awareness regarding autism and the prevalence of misconceptions regarding autism prevent effective treatment. Naranj aims to help reintegrate autistic children into the society. A platform independent and interactive mobile application inspired by the concept of social stories that enhance their social and communication skills has been developed. We expect that children on the autism spectrum will be able to initiate conversations with their peers and evolve their communication skills using this application.