Smiles for Speech: Early Autism Detection Tool

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Overview

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Smiles for Speech

Inspiration

We saw how hard it is for families in Ghana to get help when they notice something different about their child’s development. Long waits, no specialists, and little awareness make early autism support almost impossible. Inspired by Smiles for Speech, we wanted to build something simple that could make a real difference, starting at home.

What it does

Our app helps parents spot early signs of autism through a quick guided screening. It offers easy-to-understand results, helpful next steps, and trusted resources all in one place. It’s a small tool with the potential for a big impact.

How we built it

We built the app using React for a fast, responsive user experience and CSS to keep the interface clean and easy to use. All user data and screenings are securely stored using Firebase, which also powers our authentication and real-time database. Our focus was on making the app simple, reliable, and accessible, even on low-bandwidth connections.

Challenges we ran into

Error fetching information from the database.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Implemented AI-driven suggestions on next steps based on diagnostic results.

What we learned

Accessibility is not an option, it's a priority.

What's next for Smiles for Speech: Early Autism Detection Tool

Location-based suggestions: Services, clinics, professionals in the area
AI-Integration: Customized advice based on user’s experience
Offline access: Expand service to area with limited connection
Export options: Allow user to export the information in different formats (PDF, QR-code, permalink, etc.)