Reduce anxiety and increase independence with
Brain in Hand mobile software and The National
Autistic Society Facilitator Service.
Simple yet advanced software,
Brain in Hand is designed to give
people access to the best support at
a time when they need it. This gives
increased confidence to do more
things independently, be it attending
university, employment or training.
It also gives you access to
professional support provided
by The National Autistic Society
when you need it the most.
Reduce anxieties
The Brain in Hand app on your phone gives you access to a diary and notes
for difficult to remember tasks. You can also access the coping strategies
you’ve planned in advance to help you when you’re in distress.
Feel supported
The facilitator team at The National Autistic Society is linked to the anxiety
level traffic light system on the Brain in Hand software and if you ‘press red’
they will get in touch.
Improved understanding
All of your activity on Brain in Hand is saved to a secure website. This helps
you to better reflect on your day or month and help you set new goals.
Results of a Brain in Hand user study have been significant. Of people using
the software 94% report that it is having a positive impact on their life, 88%
cope better with problems and feel more confident and 100% say it provides
them with the help they need, when they need it. You’ll gain in confidence
and do more things independently, opening up new horizons in daily life,
education and work.
Product and service features
1. Software
You receive your own secure account on the Brain in Hand website where
you can build your own profile of events, potential problems and solutions,
which can then be accessed from an app on your smartphone or tablet.
The software includes:
An app packed with features
A diary
Structure time and notes for
difficult to remember tasks.
Coping strategies
Instant access to your own
pre-planned coping strategies.
A traffic light system
Monitor and track anxiety
levels and easily request
additional personal support if
things don’t go to plan
A secure website to give you new insight
Usage information
You can review a timeline of your
usage and identify good coping
strategies
2. Ongoing mentor support
If pre-planned strategies aren’t working and you need more support, ongoing
help is provided by the specialist team at The National Autistic Society.
Support includes:
> a team of National Autistic Society facilitators who will respond to your
requests
> a response by phone call or text, whichever is preferred by you
> services operate Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm, excluding public
holidays.
“After putting everything onto my secure website
there was a great moment when I synced it up to my
smartphone and ping, my whole life was suddenly there,
mapped out in my pocket to refer to at any time.”
Brain in Hand user
“I find it really reassuring. One of the best things is that
you have fixed plans for your day, rather than making
it up as you go along, which is stressful. I like knowing
what I am doing next, and having the timeline to look
back at.”
Brain in Hand user
3. Set-up support
People benefit most from using Brain in Hand if an experienced Brain in Hand
practitioner supports them through the set-up process.
Set-up includes:
> a Brain in Hand trainer to work with you
> a workbook session to help you enter your diary and coping strategies
> an invitation to a follow-up session to review your progress and spot
improvements
> your preference of face-to-face, Skype, group or one-to-one training
sessions.
You are invited to a follow-up session to review your progress and spot
improvements. Sessions are either provided face to face or over skype; they
can be group or one to one.
Technical requirements
To use Brain in Hand, you will need a smartphone or
tablet. We support Android and iPhone devices.
Pricing
The cost is £99 per month or £1,090 if paid annually; plus set-up which varies
depending on your set-up preferences.
A student’s perspective on Brain in Hand software
and the National Autistic Society’s support service
Every year two and a half thousand young people with autism start out on
university life. But faced with the additional challenges brought by their
condition the experience can be overwhelming and a higher drop-out rate is
seen. Yet with support or inclusive practice, students with autism can excel in
higher education.
A team of facilitators from the The National Autistic Society will be working
with Brain in Hand to give people with autism the vital support needed to
realise their potential.
Installed on their phone, Brain in Hand enables each student to access
personalised coping strategies, when and where they need it. Whether it’s a
change of course schedule, sensory issues triggered by a crowded space, or
anxieties caused by social situations, they can go to their Brain in Hand app
and immediately remind themselves of the solutions that work best for them.
But if additional help
is needed, there’s
also a ‘red button’
feature, giving the
option to request
urgent assistance
from The National
Autistic Society. This
is a vital part of the
system, as it helps a
student receive the
attention they need
when they need it
most, not just when
they are scheduled
to see a member of
the university support
team.
One student, Dagmawit Mekuria, aged 22, from London, has just
completed her first year of a Foundation Degree in Inclusive Performance at
Chickenshed Theatre Company, in partnership with Middlesex University. She
is one of the students using Brain in Hand and shared her experience with us.
“Brain in Hand has helped
me to solve all sorts of
problems by myself, which
has really built my confidence.”
“There are many aspects
of University life I find
challenging. For example I find
changes to rehearsal plans
without warning hard to deal
with, expressing my ideas in
workshops is tough and many
aspects of social can leave
me feeling extremely anxious.
“Brain in Hand has helped me to solve al sorts of problems by myself, which
has really built my confidence. For example I have an issue with eye contact
when I talk with friends. To solve this, I plan in advance what I can say to a
person, which is something I put into my Brain in Hand.
“It has also helped me to clarify and record which situations make me the
most anxious. I most like the traffic light system, knowing that a facilitator is
able to always see how I am feeling, be aware of what problems I am facing
and how my solutions have made me feel on that day.”
What is Brain in Hand?
Brain in Hand software presents a revolutionary approach to help
individuals with conditions such as autism, anxiety, mild or moderate
mental illness, or recovering from brain injury. It helps them to live
independently at home and be more effective in education or the
workplace. It transforms their lives and the productivity of organisations
that support, educate or employ them.
About The National Autistic Society
We are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger
syndrome) and their families. With the help of our members, supporters
and volunteers we provide information, support and pioneering services,
and campaign for a better world for people with autism.
Around 700,000 people in the UK have autism. Together with their families
they make up around 2.8 million people whose lives are touched by autism
every single day. From good times to challenging times, The National
Autistic Society is there at every stage, to help transform the lives of
everyone living with autism.
We are proud of the difference we make.
Get Brain in Hand today
To find out more please email [email protected]
visit www.braininhand.co.uk or call 01392 247 909.