UOW's link to Australia’s first homegrown app supporting neurodivergent kids
Babble Beans launches Australia’s AI-powered emotional intelligence app, giving kids on-demand, evidence-based help now
Babble Beans CEO and founder Bilal Arshad. Pic. supplied
A year in the making, Beanemo, Australia’s first homegrown emotional intelligence and regulation app, has officially launched. Designed to support kids, particularly those with autism and ADHD, the app is the brainchild of AI and machine learning engineer Bilal Arshad, a former UOW student.
Though steeped in artificial intelligence, Arshad's motivations were powered by humans. “A couple of my nephews are on the autism spectrum, and I just wanted to do something for them,” he said. “It was a natural feeling. I wasn’t a therapist, I was working in the AI space.”
He saw a pressing need in a sector already under-resourced as there often was no accessible, on-demand emotional support available to children when they need it most. Meanwhile, critical early intervention was being delayed, with average wait times for paediatric and psychiatry appointments in Sydney stretching from six to 12 months. “Even with NDIS funding, families often can’t find a clinician,” Arshad explained.
That is expected to change next year after changes to ADHD care in NSW were revealed this week. Once trained, accredited GPs will be able to prescribe ADHD medication. Arshad insists his company’s role is undiminished: “We are developing products such as Beanemo that can complement this by giving families and children emotional regulation and emotional intelligence tools while they wait for consultations."