Bright StepsCommunicate. Connect. Grow.

Helping children communicate, connect, and grow.

Bright Steps is a free AAC-friendly learning platform with quick communication buttons, skill-building games, parent coaching, rewards, and progress tracking for children and teens.

Community support helps build the app. Once development needs are met, additional verified funds will support local schools, autism organizations, therapy-related community needs, and giveback projects.
Start Free See the App
Parent and child practicing communication with a tablet

What the app will include

AAC

Quick AAC Buttons

Children can communicate urgent needs anytime.

Game

Practice Games

Fun activities for everyday communication skills.

Coach

Parent Coaching

Simple prompts and scripts to guide parents.

Star

Rewards System

Stars, badges, coloring, and parent-approved rewards.

Data

Progress Tracking

See growth, celebrate wins, and track skills.

Age

Child & Teen Modes

Age-aware language, visuals, and goals.

Designed for communication access

Quick Talk is always available.

AAC buttons stay close so children can ask for help, take a break, say stop, answer yes/no, and communicate needs while they practice.

Parent TipModel the button first, pause, then give your child time to respond.More Tips
RewardEarn stars after completing practice.

Free games library

Practice communication and earn rewards.

Requests & Needs

I Want It!Ages 2-8Play
More or All DoneChoose more or all done.Play
Help Me Fix ItAsk for help to solve a problem.Play

Feelings & Regulation

Feeling FacesIdentify feelings and emotions.Play
Break DetectiveFind when it is time to take a break.Play
Calm ChoicePick a calm strategy that helps.Play

Body & Safety

Body Map HelperPoint to where it hurts.Play
Bathroom HelperPractice asking to go.Play
What Do I Need?Choose what you need right now.Play

Social Connection

I See SomethingComment about what you see.Play
Turn-Taking TowerTake turns and build together.Play
Would You Rather?Make choices and have fun.Play

Teen Mode

Mood Check-InHow are you feeling today?Play
Self-Advocacy QuestPractice speaking up.Play
What Would You Say?Pick the best way to communicate.Play

How it works

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Pick a gameChoose a skill to practice.

Play togetherFollow prompts and take turns.

Earn rewardsCollect stars and celebrate.

Parent Tip

Model the button first, pause, then give your child time to respond.

More Tips

Built by the community

Giving back to the community.

Bright Steps is being developed through community support. Funds first go toward building and improving the app, including design, accessibility, AAC tools, testing, hosting, privacy, and security.

After development needs are met, additional verified funds will support therapy-related community projects and local organizations helping children and families.

View Proof & Updates

Community giveback focus

  • Communication and connection
  • Confidence and independence
  • Calming and sensory support
  • Movement, strength, and meaningful experiences

Transparent donation tracking

Help us build Bright Steps.

$0tracked toward the $25,000 public goal

0% tracked. PayPal completion and public proof will be updated as receipts and community giveback records are posted.

$25Friend of Bright StepsSupports app design and testing. $50Communication SupporterHelps create AAC-friendly tools. $100Family SponsorFunds parent coaching tools. $250Giveback ChampionSupports future community giveback. $500+Community PartnerSupports app launch and expansion.

Your support helps create:

AAC tools for children and teens Parent-guided communication practice Functional games for real-life skills Rewards that motivate learning Progress tracking for families

Follow the journey

Updates, progress, and giveback records.

We will share development milestones, new features, donation proof, and community support updates as Bright Steps grows.