TESTIMONIES

Azahar provides people with autism, and more specifically children with the lowest level, with a visual aid which is indispensible for them to process information. The main advantage is that they are applications which only provide the necessary information and which they can understand. With such a simple and specific design, without any additional information, the computer offers just the information they require, without any kind of distraction. The advantage of the computer or mobile is that you always obtain the response from the device.

They are also applications which, apart from the purposes for which they were designed, also facilitate work on many other educational tasks. The Azahar applications can be integrated completely naturally into any educational activity. The inclusions of technologies, digital screens and whiteboards … are a format fully adapted to these users, and, contrary to what we used to think years ago, this is the format which is easiest for them to use and where they find it easiest to work the applications.

Azahar is an innovative and truly useful tool, which facilitates and improves quality of life for its users. What I value most is that it is specifically designed for people with autism and is available free of charge and supported on different devices. It is also easy to learn to operate the tool if you read the guide and taking a little time.

The application we have used the most is the timer, TIC-TAC, as it responds to a specific need – waiting times. What I value the most about TIC-TAC is its simplicity, immediacy, the flexibility its offers for advancing or delaying the passing of time, and above all, how easy it is for people with low level autism to understand.

In the case of this application, the response was more positive and faster than expected. The most interesting part of all was when the people with autism touched the screen, as if they wanted to make the timer move faster. In all cases, they have respected the device to the full, at no time showing any frustration or anxiety at waiting towards it. What they like most about it is the clear image it presents, the flow and repetitive movement of the bar timers, and the extra attention received from their carers when using the device.

Azahar is wonderful. The tools developed are accessible and can provide great support to many people with autism in their daily life, allowing them a greater level of communication with and comprehension of the world around them. What I like the most is that these applications are easy to handle and install. Once it is installed and the basic strategies have been learnt, all that is needed is to adapt it to the characteristics of the person who is going to learn it.

For example, I found TIC-TAC to be an important aid for classes with children who have great difficulties in understanding and controlling time. It was a success in many on the cases I have used it for. Not only did it work well for the person with autism, but also for me as a professional, as some of the situations which I previously found it hard to manage have disappeared. Since we have been using TIC-TAC, our work sessions are much calmer, the user is more relaxed, and can predict the time spent on each activity. Levels of anxiety and denial in the face of certain tasks have dropped or even disappear.

I would like to say that this can truly make the lives of many people easier and more simple, and that optimum use should be made of all the resources currently offered by new technologies.

The application we have used, TIC-TAC, was very useful. It offers a clear and understandable way to anticipate and structure time in order to complete certain activities. The support it has provided for controlling problem behavior has been extremely important, in particular those caused by the high level of obsessions and routines displayed by some users.

It was also easy to learn to use, both for professionals and for users.