My guests today are Herman Lintvelt and Michael (Fox) van der Linde of Augmental Technologies (Pty) Ltd. They created a FREE app called Tracto that is empowering parents to better support their autistic kids. I love bringing you resources that can help improve your families the quality of life. It's even more satisfying for me when something is as affordable as free. Check out this episode and let me know if you have any questions.. You can find more information about Tracto at tracto.app Guest bios and contact info: Herman Lintvelt Role: Founder, CEO, CTO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hermanlintvelt/ Herman Lintvelt has more than 20 years experience in creating software products, and in growing productive software teams. He has been involved in various startups over the last number of years. He specializes in initiating projects; growing the software architecture and team structure so both can start lean, and scale when it needs to. He is passionate about using technology to develop products that empowers people. Michael (Fox) van der Linde Role: Founder, Chief Product Officer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfoxsa/ Michael has 11 years of technology product management and entrepreneurship experience. During this period he has managed various local and international technology product portfolios ranging from digital health and telematics. He also has extensive experience in managing technology product roadmaps within various company maturity levels, from start-up, scale-up and NYSE listed company environments. Michael is passionate about addressing meaningful problems by leveraging software, hardware, data science, design and business model innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Just two Dads Podcast Shawn Francis and Brian Altounian host "Just two Dads." A weekly conversation with two dads about raising children with special needs. Listen, every Wednesday at 12PM PST. Find them on Facebook and anywhere you get your podcasts. Just two Dads Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I recently discovered my autistic kids are having to do active shooter and lockdown drills at school. I was caught off guard because my kids are in a school for autistic kids and kids with other learning disabilities. I had no idea this was happening and I wanted to learn more. I found so many stories about how traumatizing these drills are for kids in general. Concerned, I wanted to speak to someone who has experienced these first hand. As parents we need to be aware of what our kids are experiencing and how they are being impacted. In honor of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, I wanted to have a conversation about this. I'm connected with Shannon Watts on Twitter. Shannon is the founder of Mom's Demand Action and is leading the fight for gun safety. I asked if I could speak with someone about this and she delivered. My guest today is Avery Hamill. Avery is a senior in high school, a Student Demands Action volunteer and Students Demand Action National Advisory Board member. Avery literally took time out of his school day to talk about what it's like to experience active shooter and lockdown drills first hand. He also shares why they're so traumatizing to kids and what can be done to help reduce the impact. As a parent, this interview really hit me hard and I'm so grateful to have connected with Avery. Some heros don't wear capes and some are still in high school.. You can follow and support Avery on Twitter by clicking here. You can find more information about Students Demand Action, Mom's Demand Action, and Everytown below: Research report on the Impact of Active Shooter Drills in Schools Students Demand Action Mom's Demand Action Everytown Text "READY: to 644-33 to join the movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities." More information about National Gun Violence Survivors Week Find me at listen.theautismdad.com All my information can be found here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About Mightier Mightier is a clinically proven mobile gaming app that was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s already helped more than 100,000 kids, including my crew here at home. Kids play on a tablet or a phone while wearing a heart rate monitor. And Mightier incorporates breathing exercises and other calming techniques as part of the game. Kids get to see when it’s time to cool down and learn how to do it themselves. And parents get to track their progress. Visit mightier.com and use the promo code "theautismdad22" at checkout to save 10%. Visit Mightier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices