Press release

PRESS RELEASE  AutiPlan  9 March 2009

Structure for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders with AutiPlan, a free on-line tool
EMMELOORD - A new tool for people who have an increased need for structure is being made available, free of charge, for private home use.  It consists of a website where you can make quick and easy daily planners, with several lay-outs options for printing. Clear and comprehensive planning is a way to offer the necessary structure children and adults with various forms of Autism require, as well as people with other mental handicaps or dementure. AutiPlan is lucky to have thousands of pictograms at its disposition, generously donated by Bart Serrien.

Autiplan was born out of a personal need of the parents of an eight year-old boy, who has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. This disorder comes with a prominent demand for structure and stability, to which detailed planning can contribute. Confronted with the daily task of planning to such a degree, Freelance Unix specialist, Ger Apeldoorn (34) and a good friend of his came up with and designed the AutiPlan application. For the benefit of as many people in a similar situation as possible, access to the main functions is free of charge for non-professional use.

Extra options
But there is more. Special consideration has been given to additional options for care-facilities and other institutions and organisations, with the view to make planning for more than one person per day as simple as possible.
Furthermore, the PlanViewer enables interactive possibilities through the website. This option shows the current activity along-side a time-bar indicating the amount of time left in which to finish the activity. The other remaining activities for the day are shown, also. Currently work is still in progress to expand the options with the PlanViewer, including enhancements for mobile phone viewing.

Speed
The main advantage of planning with AutiPlan is the speed with which a daily pictogram planner can be created. This is made possible for the use of templates; standard time-tables can be used for special days, which then only to be adapted in a few places. Each planner can be printed out in one of seven options; there is even a format suitable for the visually impaired.
You can find more information on the website http://www.autiplan.com, including a screencast demonstrating the main possibilities with Autiplan.