There are 2 million autistic people in Brazil and one of their characteristics is the difficulty in communicating with their families and, consequently, with the world. One of the means of communication for most autistic people are visual communication cards that help them communicate about basic activities, such as peeing, drinking water, listening to music and even asking to use their cell phone.

The cards were created nearly 40 years ago but have never been updated. With that in mind, Africa Creative and telco, Vivo, are launching the project, The Autism Journey, in partnership with AMA – Association of Autistic Friends, the non-profit institution that supports autistic people in Brazil. Cards can be updated in an innovative way using artificial intelligence, through an online platform that is simple to navigate on the website, using AI that analyses billions of online data.

Scientific studies prove that interacting with autistic people through their hyperfocus helps to improve communication. The new cards can be personalised, inspired by the interests and passions of each autistic person. If a person within the spectrum likes dinosaurs, he can generate several cards on the site with drawings of dinosaurs demonstrating basic and easy-to-understand situations. In this way, autistic people can feel more engaged in interacting with the cards and, consequently, more motivated to communicate. The platform also had all its architecture and layout designed for autistic people, respecting coloors and typologies that are friendlier to them.

“Vivo continues with its purpose of digitising to approach and brings a project that can help family members and educators to promote a different and immersive experience with autistic people,” stated Marina Daineze, director of brand and communication at Vivo.