For children with ADHD or autism that struggle with daily routines, parents often turn to two primary solutions.
There are inexpensive smart watches that prompt children with alarm clock like features, or costly, expert advice from behavioral therapists.
Goally founder Sasi Movva was looking for a middle ground three years ago for his child when he began testing technology-based solutions. He was hoping to pull from each of the previously mentioned options, melding technology with expert advice, at a cost that wasn't prohibitive.
So, he developed Goally, a software and support device that provides intuitive coaching for children working through essential daily routines.
Goally guides children through basic tasks, like brushing their teeth or getting dressed, while providing positive feedback to motivate them.
Goally cofounder and COO Daragh Brangan said the technology allows parents to observe from the sidelines, without having to always serve as a prompter.
“From day one, it is a complete change in the relationship. Goally takes the parent out of the middle and takes all the stress out of the situation,” he said.
Parents can establish routines and set rewards on the Goally device using a smartphone application. From there, Goally guides children through each activity within the specified time, while parents can monitor progress on the app.
The Boulder-based company recently graduated from Techstars and will officially launch the product in February. In December, they’ll release 500 “Sneak Release” products to the public.
Goally’s advisers includes a team of behavioral therapists that have helped develop the software to benefit each child’s situation. In the future, Brangan said Goally will launch a progression plan that helps children gain skills and reduce the time it takes to complete basic tasks.
As they move through the plan, Goally will provide less incentives, reducing the child's reliance on the product and increasing their independence.
In October, Goally raised $884,205 in equity and Brangan said that will get the company through another year.
They’re hoping to become a resource for parents and children with cognitive challenges.
“We’ll never replace therapists. We want to make behavioral therapy way easier and much less expensive to implement,” Brangan said.
