Rikke Andersen is the mother of 10-year-old Zander, who has ADHD and autism.
Zander has a strong need for structure, and it is also important for him to have an overview of what the rest of the family is doing. The family had previously used pictograms and other board systems, but these made Zander feel different. He often became angry at the tools because he was the only one using them.
The family tried to find a tool that could connect with some of Zander’s interests and, in that way, win his acceptance. Since Zander has a great interest in electronics, they began looking at digital tools. The choice fell on Mobilize Me.
Color codes make the difference
Mobilize Me has many different functions, but it was especially important for us to be able to use different color codes. Zander really wants to know what the whole family is doing, so we add appointments for the entire family with different colors. Little sister Lea, 6 years old, is red, mom is yellow, and dad is green. The appointments that are shared are white. “It’s a brilliant system, and we definitely get a lot of joy out of it.”
In addition to the color codes, the family is also very happy that it is possible to use different pictures in the tool, so you are not “locked into pictograms.” Mobilize Me is also so simple in its design that Zander can help plan his own day, which strengthens his confidence and allows him to express his technical interests. If a template has been used for too long, Zander, for example, takes new pictures himself, which makes the activities interesting again.
“It gives him ownership of the tool, and the template function makes it easy for him,” Rikke explains.
Little sister’s interest in color codes
Like most other users, Zander primarily uses Mobilize Me to get an overview of his daily life and to remember various activities and tasks. Zander has now been using the tool for a year and a half, and even though he no longer needs to check it as often, it gives him security to be able to log in during the day.
“Using Mobilize Me has given him much more calm, and he can stay focused on what he needs to do,” she says.
Zander’s enthusiasm for the tool has spread, so little sister Lea has also started using it occasionally.
“You don’t need to have a diagnosis for it to be smart,” says Rikke, adding: “Most children are attracted to things on a screen, and we might as well use that fascination constructively.”
The family is in the process of introducing Mobilize Me at Zander’s school, and they are confident that the tool will continue to help them for many years to come.
