Filipino-founded app for those with speech delays, autism wins two golds at 2024 Stevie Awards
A Filipino-founded app designed to support individuals with speech delays and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) won two gold medals in a premier global business competition.
Mylo Speech Buddy bagged two golds at the 2024 Stevie Awards' two programs. It was named "Tech Startup of the Year - Software" at the 21st International Business Awards and the "New Product of the Year - Educational Technology" at the Technology Excellence Awards.
According to its website, the Stevie Awards were created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. The two categories where Mylo had won are part of Stevie's nine programs, which have their respective focus, list of categories, and schedule. Together, the programs receive over 12,000 nominations each year.
There were over 600 nominations from organizations across 21 nations and categories. Judges included over 100 industry experts and thought leaders from around the world.
Vincent Rocha, whose son has ASD, founded the app with Enrico Aquino and filmmaker Mark Meiley in July 2023.
The app includes customizable speech exercises and real-time feedback from parents, therapists, and individuals within the autism community. It offers a video modeling method that provides clear enunciation guidance for parents, fostering speech development right from their smartphones. This technique aims to aid nonverbal children in developing from zero words to their first, understanding what is asked of them, and expressing themselves better.
Mylo Speech Buddy works alongside the valuable contributions of speech therapists and medical professionals, adding to a holistic approach to speech development rather than substituting professional care.
Last August, it represented the Philippines at the Collision Tech Conference in Toronto, Canada. Their latest feat is an addition to Mylo's international exposure.
According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.
Beginning before the age of three, those with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. They may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
There's no one cause of ASD and its several other causes are not yet known, but a child may likely have it because of environmental, biological, and genetic factors.
The CDC said approximately 1% or 75 million individuals worldwide have ASD. In the Philippines, around 1.2 million cases of ASD are reported, and approximately 1 in 100 children is diagnosed with it.