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A lecturer at Manisa Celal Bayar University's Project Coordination Application and Research Centre has developed a mobile app to better communicate with his 4-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome—a rare genetic condition that affects speech, movement, and cognitive development.
Mehmet Nuri Ogut and his wife, Nursin Gokce Ogut, began seeking medical advice when signs of developmental delay appeared in their daughter, Nevsin Gokce, who was born in 2021. Genetic testing at the age of 2.5 revealed that she had Angelman syndrome, a lifelong neurological disorder.
Determined to connect with his daughter, Ogut teamed up with Eren Malkoc, a third-year computer engineering student at the same university. Together, they initiated a project under the Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Türkiye's (TUBITAK) 4008 Programme, which supports inclusive society practices for individuals with special needs.
Through workshops with 30 children diagnosed with Angelman syndrome and their families, the team gathered user insights and collaborated with 30 medical experts to design a tool that would address the unique communication challenges these children face.
The result is "GoKid"—a free mobile application that allows children to communicate using pictures of familiar objects. Parents can upload photos of commonly used items directly from their phones. The app is designed to remain locked on the communication interface, preventing distractions. When a child selects an item, such as their water bottle, a notification is sent to the caregiver's phone, accompanied by visual and auditory feedback.
"Children with Angelman syndrome struggle with verbal expression," Ogut told Anadolu Agency. "We researched alternative communication strategies and discovered the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). In this system, individuals express their needs by showing or exchanging image cards—for example, holding up a photo of a water bottle when thirsty. We wanted to bring this method into the digital world."
The app includes adjustable settings based on varying levels of intellectual disability, from mild to severe, and can be personalised to each child’s environment and needs. Ogut reported significant improvement in his own daughter's ability to communicate. "Before, she could only recognise her bottle. Now, she can express other needs too. Our aim is to enhance her quality of life."
Professor Ayse Semra Hiz Kurul, a pediatric neurologist at the Rare Diseases Platform of the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, emphasised the importance of early diagnosis for rare disorders.
"Angelman syndrome affects approximately one in every 12,000 to 15,000 births and currently has no cure," she said. "These children often cannot speak, but they have a powerful visual memory. Identifying the condition early allows families to act swiftly and provide the right support."
Kurul added that 350 million people worldwide live with undiagnosed conditions. "Delayed diagnosis directly affects access to treatment, quality of life, and emotional wellbeing."
The GoKid app, currently being tested by families, is available free of charge and was designed to serve not only those with Angelman syndrome but also any child with impaired communication skills.
Ogut hopes the project will inspire broader use of digital tools to help children with special needs. "We believe technology can be a bridge where words fall short," he said.
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