Ability to Communicate: The Key to Safe, Meaningful Living for Autistic Individuals

It’s likely you or someone in your circle knows - or is - a person with autism. The number of Australians with autism is growing; About 675,000* Australians are autistic and each person has different strengths, interests, challenges and aspirations.

_{*Based on the latest prevalence estimates and Australian Bureau of Statistics census data}

With the increase in the number of people getting identified as being on the spectrum, there has also been an increase in awareness of what people with autism need to live meaningful, independent lives - and how to best provide for their individual support needs.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means it affects how a person’s brain works. It is often identified in childhood and it is lifelong, meaning a person does not ‘grow out’ of having autism. It is not a disease, and it is not contagious. 

KISA Fall Detection Autism is what is known as a ‘spectrum disorder’, which means people’s support needs may vary from high on the spectrum, to lower. There is a famous saying within the autism community that says ‘When you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism’. This saying emphasises that autism can look very different in different people.

That said, there are some defining characteristics of autism, including:

• Difficulty with social interactions;
• Sensory challenges, including heightened sensitivity to smells, noises, fabrics, lights and experiences;
• Repetitive interests and ritualistic behaviours;
• Difficulty making and maintaining eye contact;
• Differences in tone of voice and the words used in conversations - people with autism may be perceived as blunt due to avoiding small talk and being very direct in conversation.

How might autism impact daily life?

Living with autism has its challenges. Many people with autism face difficulties in communicating. They might misread social cues and misunderstand people’s intentions or the meanings behind words and phrases. They may prefer direct communication and instructions over indirect phrases or vague suggestions. Socialisation can be more tiring and challenging for those with autism.

Many autistic people are sensitive to sensory inputs like lights and sounds, which can lead to overstimulation when using devices like mobile phones with all their dings, flashes, bells and whistles.

Some autistic children can wander or ‘escape’, causing distress on both sides.

People with autism are still often stigmatised within our community by others who don’t understand how the disability impacts day-to-day life, or the barriers that society presents for autistics. But despite this, the reality is that many people on the spectrum - both those with low and high support needs - can live independently. KISA can help them do that.

Autism and KISA

KISA Assistive Technology Communication Devices like the KISA Phone provide independence and support for people on the autism spectrum, addressing the barriers that make using other devices difficult or sometimes impossible.

The KISA Phone is an excellent choice for individuals on the autism spectrum, offering a communication device designed for simplicity and ease of use. While it is not classified as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device, the KISA Phone effectively supports those who are technologically disadvantaged by featuring one-button calling and photo contacts. 

These features enable users to connect effortlessly with family and caregivers. Its straightforward design minimises the complexity often associated with traditional smartphones, reducing the potential for overstimulation from excessive features and apps.

Additionally, built-in emergency features provide an extra layer of safety, ensuring that help is easily accessible when needed. By focusing on essential communication functions, the KISA Phone promotes independence and enhances the ability of individuals on the autism spectrum to stay connected with their support network.

Why is KISA Phone a good choice for people with autism

While traditional smartphones offer many features, they are not classified as AAC devices. The KISA Phone, however, bridges this gap by being designed with simplicity and accessibility in mind, incorporating features that support users with specific communication needs. For example:

Bridging the Gap with KISA Phones

• Photo Contacts: Allow users to easily identify and call important contacts, reducing the cognitive load associated with navigating through a contact list.
• One-Button Calling: Simplifies the process of making calls, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may find navigating multiple steps challenging.
• Emergency Features:These features provide an added layer of safety, ensuring that help is accessible when needed and giving users and caregivers a sense of reassurance and security.
• Customisable Settings: With a wide range of adjustable settings, each KISA can be further tailored to meet each user's specific needs, such as setting up the automatic loudspeaker.

KISA Phone services are designed to suit individuals with Autism

• GPS Tracking service will continuously calculate the location of the KISA Device and report it to the KISA secure database, location data can only be viewed by individuals with login details.
• KISA Shield will stop unwanted calls from reaching KISA Device.
• KISA Reminders service will remind the person regularly to take medication, drink water or simply go to the bathroom.

The KISA Phone is also NDIS approved, and can be added to your plan as part of an NDIS package.

If the KISA Phone sounds right for you or your loved one’s needs, click here to find out more.