Autism is a
neurotype that generally affects social interaction and communication in
autistic individuals, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The
Autism Spectrum Network of Latin America has revealed that although countries
in the region have committed to upholding the rights of autistic people,
service provision remains largely undervalued.
To help
ensure that autistic individuals have more tools to navigate daily life,
Melissa Muñoz (Chile, 28) developed AutistApp, a free mobile application
available for Android and iOS. The app offers a wide range of tools, from
pictograms and an emotion journal to situational mutism cards and a job
board, all designed to support autonomy and improve the quality of life for
people on the autism spectrum.
Muñoz
points out that most well-developed support systems focus only on the most
visible barriers autistic people face. This, she argues, reflects a bias that
ignores those who manage to “function” within the demands of the productive
system. She also highlights how public policy is typically focused on children,
leaving autistic adults and older individuals with virtually no support in
their daily lives.
AutistApp
stands out not only because it serves users of all ages, from children to the
elderly, but also because it is informed directly by the autistic community
through detailed surveys. This ensures that the app’s tools and resources truly
reflect the real-life needs and challenges of autistic people, their
caregivers, and professionals in the field. Additionally,
AutistApp significantly contributes to several key Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work
and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
A graduate
in Advanced Data Science from the University of Concepción (Chile), Muñoz
received her autism diagnosis in 2023. “After a lifetime of questioning so many
things about myself and the world around me, getting this identification in
2023 was a balm for many wounds. But it also made me more aware of the daily
challenges I was facing,” she recalls.
Instead of
being discouraged, Muñoz decided to take action to address the barriers she
herself was living through. “It made me experience firsthand what it’s like to
not have access to therapy, to be excluded from my country’s autism law because
I’m an adult, and to live in a society that still holds many prejudices and
stereotypes about the autism spectrum,” she explains.
Since June
2024, AutistApp has reached 30,000 active users, the majority of whom are based
in Chile. The goal is to expand further across Latin America, with upcoming
launches in Peru and Spain. Muñoz
envisions the app being translated into more languages and reaching a broader
global audience. She also hopes that the company’s growth will eventually
create jobs specifically for neurodivergent individuals.
The Chilean
entrepreneur also holds a degree in History and Geography Education from the
same university where she later pivoted to a more tech-oriented path. She has
experience as a speaker and researcher, and is now one of the 35 Innovators
Under 35 selected by MIT Technology Review in Spanish.
Note: The style guide for MIT Technology
Review in Spanish typically follows the recommendations of the Autism Confederation of Spain, which advises referring to “people with autism.” However, in
this case, the innovator chooses to identify as “autistic,” and we have chosen
to respect her preference.
