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Not sure what to ask? Try these topic areas:

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Nova is built to adapt, so feel free to explore anything you’re dealing with.

1

Eating challenges & picky eating

2

Meltdowns & shutdowns

3

Echolalia signs

4

School/IEP questions

5

Sensory issues (noise, clothing, textures)

6

AAC, nonverbal communication, or scripting

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Public outings & overstimulation

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Behavior-as-communication

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Eloping/wandering concerns

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Teen & adult autism questions

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Parent burnout, overwhelm, or emotional support

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Explaining autism to grandparents or family

What is Nova?

Nova is an autism-affirming support assistant designed to help parents, teachers, caregivers, and autistic individuals understand challenging moments like meltdowns, sensory overload, big emotions, and communication hurdles.

It is NOT a casual AI chat tool.
It is a structured system built from real research, lived experience, and current autism best-practice frameworks.

Is Nova an AI?

Nova uses a conversational format, but it is not a free-form AI.
It cannot “go rogue,” give opinions, or improvise.

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Nova works more like a guided educational tool:

  • It pulls from verified sensory frameworks

  • Behavior science

  • Crisis intervention models

  • Lived experiences from autistic adults

  • Autism-affirming principles

  • Emotional regulation strategies

  • Communication models and visual supports

  • ​

It’s built to give calm, step-by-step support — not chit-chat.

Who is Nova for?

Nova is designed for:

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  • Parents of autistic children

  • Autistic teens and adults

  • Teachers and paras

  • Therapists

  • Police officers and first responders

  • Family members trying to better understand autism

  • Anyone who wants clearer, calmer guidance

What can Nova help with?

Nova can support you through situations like:

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  • Meltdowns

  • Sensory overload

  • Emotional overwhelm

  • Communication challenges

  • Resistance, shutdowns, or rigid moments

  • Transition struggles

  • Escaping/elopement fears

  • Social misunderstandings

  • Explaining autistic behavior to others

  • Helping teens understand themselves

  • Helping caregivers know what to do in the moment

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Nova also offers:

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  • Sensory trigger analysis

  • Scripts for difficult conversations

  • Autism-affirming explanations

  • Research summaries

  • Visual “social story” style breakdowns

  • Behavior and environment insights

Is Nova safe?
Will my information be stored?

Right now, Nova is in beta testing, which means:

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  • No identifying personal information is required

  • No long-term data storage

  • No accounts are needed

  • No profiles or logs are saved in the app

  • Conversations are not used to train models

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Once the full app launches, real security features will be added, including:

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  • Encrypted communication

  • No sale of personal data

  • No advertising tracking

  • Clear privacy controls

  • Optional guest mode

  • Optional private profiles for personalized use

Why was Nova created?

Nova was created by two parents raising a profoundly autistic child.


After years of:

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  • Meltdowns with no guidance

  • Confusing or conflicting professional advice

  • Fear during safety situations

  • Feeling dismissed

  • Feeling alone

  • Trying to understand behaviors without support

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…they realized families needed something clearer, calmer, and more compassionate.

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Nova exists because no one should navigate autism alone.

Is Nova free?

Right now, while in beta, Nova is completely free.


We are self-funding development and taking donations to build:

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  • The full mobile app

  • The voice conversation system

  • Tone-recognition features

  • Visual aids

  • Offline mode

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Anyone can test Nova at no cost.

Do you work with professionals?

Yes. Nova’s framework is being built with input from:

  • Autistic adults

  • Parents of autistic children

  • Behavior specialists

  • Sensory integration specialists

  • Teachers

  • Crisis-response professionals

Nova will continue evolving as we bring more voices in.

How can I support Nova?

If you want to help this become a fully accessible app for families nationwide, you can:

  • Donate through GiveButter

  • Share the beta

  • Give feedback

  • Tell teachers or parents you know

  • Send bug reports or feature ideas

Nova exists because people like you believe in it.

Will it replace therapists or real professionals?

No.
Nova is not meant to replace:

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  • Occupational therapy

  • Speech therapy

  • Professional evaluation

  • Crisis services

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Nova is meant to support you between those moments when real help isn’t available.

Can autistic adults use Nova?

Absolutely. Many autistic adults have said they wish they had something like this years ago.

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Nova can help with:

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  • Sensory self-understanding

  • Emotional regulation

  • Explaining needs to others

  • Social and school challenges

  • Identifying triggers

  • Creating boundaries

  • Self-advocacy

Can first responders use Nova?

Yes. Nova includes:

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  • De-escalation guidance

  • Sensory-safe approach instructions

  • Communication tips for non-speakers

  • Safety considerations for wandering/elopement

  • Behavior explanations that reduce misinterpretation

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