HelloMyFriend: Social Confidence for Neurodiverse Kids
Our innovative mobile application helps children with Autism Spectrum Disorder develop crucial social skills through engaging, interactive roleplay scenarios tailored to their unique needs. Launching Fall 2025.
HelloMyFriend creates a safe, judgment-free environment where children can practice and master social interactions at their own pace.
Join our early access program today and be among the first families to experience how technology can empower neurodiverse children to build meaningful connections with confidence.
Join BETA Program
The Challenge: Social Anxiety in Autism
1 in 31
Prevalence
US children have ASD
49%
Social Struggles
Of children with ASD face social challenges
63%
Isolation Risk
At risk of social isolation
31%
Access
Have regular access to appropriate therapy
Children with ASD frequently experience significant challenges with social interaction and communication, including difficulty interpreting facial expressions and understanding nonverbal cues, often leading to heightened social anxiety in everyday interactions.
These social difficulties manifest in various settings - from school playgrounds to family gatherings - creating barriers to forming meaningful relationships. Many children with autism struggle with initiating conversations, maintaining eye contact, and understanding social hierarchies, which can lead to feelings of confusion and frustration.
The consequences of these challenges extend beyond childhood. Without effective intervention, these social difficulties can impact academic performance, emotional well-being, and long-term mental health. Studies show that children with ASD who lack support for social skill development are more likely to experience depression and anxiety disorders in adolescence and adulthood.
Despite the clear need for intervention, access to specialized social skills training remains limited. Traditional therapy sessions are often expensive, infrequent, and difficult to access for many families, particularly those in rural or underserved communities. This accessibility gap highlights the urgent need for innovative, scalable solutions that can reach children wherever they are.
Solution: HelloMyFriend App Overview
Confidence Building
Transfer skills to real-world situations
Progress Tracking
Dashboard for parents and therapists
Interactive Avatars
Natural responses with immediate feedback
Customizable Roleplay
Safe, judgment-free practice environment
Our app provides customizable roleplay scenarios for children ages 5-20, adapting to different developmental needs and social contexts in a safe digital environment that eliminates the anxiety of real-world interactions. HelloMyFriend addresses common social challenges including conversation initiation, understanding facial expressions, and navigating group settings. The personalized learning path adapts to each child's progress, providing the right level of support exactly when needed. Using evidence-based behavioral techniques and playful avatar-based communication, we transform challenging social situations into approachable learning opportunities.
Product Features and User Experience
HelloMyFriend delivers a comprehensive suite of tools designed specifically for neurodiverse children to build social confidence in a supportive digital environment.
Subscription Value
$29.99 monthly fee includes all premium features. No hidden costs or in-app purchases. Family plans available with discounts for multiple users, and scholarships for families in need.
Identity Representation
Diverse avatar library reflects users' backgrounds. Children see themselves in their learning journey. Customization options include cultural attire, mobility aids, and sensory accessories to ensure authentic representation.
Practical Scenarios
Real-world social situations from simple greetings to resolving conflicts. Scenarios grow with the child. Settings include school cafeterias, birthday parties, doctor visits, and family gatherings tailored to age and ability level.
Adaptive Learning
Our proprietary algorithm tracks progress and adjusts difficulty based on individual performance. The system identifies areas of strength and challenge, providing more practice where needed and advancing when ready.
Parent Dashboard
Comprehensive reporting tools show progress over time. Set goals, review completed activities, and receive professional recommendations for supporting development at home or in therapy sessions.
Accessibility First
Designed with input from autism specialists and neurodiverse users. Features include adjustable sensory settings (colors, sounds, animations), clear instructions, and compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies.
Every feature in HelloMyFriend has been developed with extensive input from children with autism, their families, and clinical experts to ensure a meaningful, effective, and enjoyable experience that translates to real-world confidence.
Market Need and Impact
The growing recognition of neurodiversity has created an urgent demand for specialized tools that support children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Yet despite increasing awareness, significant gaps remain in accessible, effective solutions.
The autism therapy market is projected to reach $5.2 billion by 2026, with 7.1 million K-12 students with disabilities who could benefit from accessible options. Most concerningly, 68% of families report inadequate access to specialized services in their communities.
This service gap is particularly pronounced in rural and underserved communities, where specialist providers may be located hours away. Even in urban areas, waiting lists for qualified therapists can extend 12-18 months or more, some waiting up to three years from diagnosis to intervention (1) – a critical developmental period for children with autism where early intervention is key.
Growing Prevalence
Autism diagnosis rates have increased 178% since 2000, creating an ever-expanding need for accessible support systems that can reach families regardless of location.
Economic Barriers
Traditional therapy sessions cost $100-250 per hour, with recommended treatment plans often requiring 20+ hours weekly, placing effective intervention beyond many families' financial reach.
Digital Adoption
92% of children with autism already engage with digital content daily, making app-based interventions a familiar and comfortable medium for delivering therapeutic content.
Measurable Impact
By addressing these critical market gaps with an affordable, accessible, and evidence-based solution, HelloMyFriend is positioned to transform the landscape of support for neurodiverse children and their families worldwide.
Our Team: Passionate Experts
HelloMyFriend brings together leaders in AI, psychology, and education who are dedicated to transforming the lives of neurodiverse children.
Craig Tucker
CEO of VERN AI and leading the Virtual Emotion Resource Network, He champions the cutting-edge development of VERN AI's patented emotion detection software. He specializes in real-time emotional state analysis, revolutionizing interactions between humans and technology.
Daniel Hungerford
CEO of EverFriends AI and expert in virtual friendship simulation. Specialized in creating accessible digital human interfaces for multiple applications to bring customizable interactions from companionship to education through state-of-the-art digital human technology.
Amy Stratbucker
CEO of AJS Consulting and co-founder and CEO of HelloMyFriend, She is dedicated to human centered innovation at the intersection of leadership and technology. Drawing on 30 years in biotech and pharma, Amy champions trust, courage, and curiosity - helping leaders and teams thrive while shaping solutions that will empower every child to feel seen and understood.
Connect with us: connect@hellomyfriend.io
Join the Beta Test Wait
list
Connect with us: connect@hellomyfriend.io