Solutions for Tomorrow winners would help children with autism spectrum disorder

Every year, the Solutions for Tomorrow Finals prove that students have enormous potential to solve social and environmental problems. This year, many innovative projects and inspiring ideas were once again in the spotlight to shape tomorrow. The eight finalist teams once again put their heart and soul into their proposals and the solutions they developed with expert support. Over the past five years, the phrase “the jury is not in an easy position” has almost become a household word. This time was no different after the extremely unique, sometimes touching, but always impressive presentations that demonstrated professional commitment. The three best teams were selected by the jury based on creativity, critical thinking and soundness – in addition, this year social responsibility, communication and teamwork were given even greater weight.

The victory of compassion

The top-ranked PrepBook, students of the Karcagi SzC Mezőtúri Teleki Blanka High School, Technical School and Dormitory, Diána Nánási, Boglárka Isaszegi and Viktória Simai, focused on the theme of Health and the topic of anxiety, and showed an outstanding example of social responsibility and compassion. The young people developed an interactive book that can help children with autism spectrum disorders see and understand the process of medical examinations, reducing their stress related to it. For children with autism, many new, unknown situations can be a serious source of anxiety, and the interactive blue book, which can be easily turned and supplemented, and is safe thanks to its rounded pages, can help overcome this. The children concerned can get to know the unknown even before the tests: among other things, it contains a smell pattern reminiscent of a hospital, the sounds of waiting rooms and medical equipment can be heard behind the QR codes, and the book also includes a dental mirror. The Association for Autists in Szolnok joined as a supporting partner, and Dr. Zsófia Batári, a dentist practicing in Szolnok, also gave a professional opinion of the book and the initiative. The team concluded their presentation with an excerpt from Anna T. Szabó’s poem Egyforma, which draws attention to acceptance and is even more captivating in the context of the topic.

Second place went to the Motus team, also armed with deep empathy and inspiring power, competing in the Health category, consisting of students from Diákszempont Elementary School and Gymnasium in Budapest, Blanka Virág Stiller, Soma Lempel and Árpád Lőrinc, who would support students in maintaining their mental well-being with a mood-tracking emotional diary application. The keyword is anxiety, which is often a difficult feeling to identify: sometimes we only feel the weight that is weighing on us. The team’s research among 100 young people yielded heartbreaking results: many do not know who to turn to with their problems, and others cannot even articulate their feelings. However, Motus, an AI-supported emotional diary created for 14-18 year olds, can provide help. It does not diagnose, but is present as a companion who listens – offering safety and acceptance. For example, the user can journal with it, receive mood-improving tips and join the group chat. The young people have already received a recommendation from the Blue Line, who have also fine-tuned the prototype from a technological perspective, and there has been a lot of positive feedback about the application from their school community and on social media platforms. Motus is planned to be free of charge so that it can be spread as widely as possible.