Sandbox Learning Company receives Phase I SBIR grant to
improve lives of autistic children

The Sandbox Learning Company (http://www.sandbox-learning.com/) was awarded its first Phase I SBIR grant to develop and research a prototype of a video game to help children with autism learn skills for independence. The grant was awarded by the National Institutes of Mental Health in response to the PA: Innovative Technologies for Enhancing Function for Individuals with Disabilities. Sandbox's principal investigator, Amy Maguire, and project manager Desiree McClimon, feel the support of the local SBTDC and grant community was critical in receiving this funding.

The Sandbox Learning Company, a women-owned business in Winston-Salem, NC, was founded by Desiree and Amy while they were MBA candidates at Wake Forest University. The company currently publishes online stories for teaching young children safety and social skills. The SBIR grant will provide resources for developing and researching a new product line for the company, video games.

According to the Autism Society of America, annual costs associated with autism are estimated to be $90 billion and are expected to rise to $200 billion in the next ten years. A substantial part of these costs are due to adults lacking skills for independence. The proposed video game focuses on teaching community-based skills to help individuals with autism develop skills necessary for independence. The knowledge gained from this research also could be applied to a wide range of additional skills. Since this video game could greatly improve the lives of many people, the company plans to file for Phase II funds and bring the game through to Phase III commercialization.

To prepare for the grant, the founders attended SBTDC speaker sessions and the national SBIR conference in Bethesda, MD. These programs helped determine the direction for the grant, provide an overview of the SBIR/STTR program, and guide the founders through the application process. John Uvari, the SBTDC's SBIR specialist, was extremely helpful in reviewing the proposal and responding to questions.

"The mentoring received through contacts provided by John has been invaluable," says Amy. The co-founders had the opportunity to speak with a number of grant recipients who gave wonderful feedback about key elements for submitting a grant. Most notably, Phil Scheffer of Vortant Technologies in Asheville, NC, "has been a true mentor and friend through each step of the process, and he continues to guide us through the maze of federal regulations and paperwork," adds Desiree.

As recent awardees, the founders are thankful to the community for their support and highly recommend that anyone interested in applying for grants take advantage of the SBTDC programs including speakers, proposal review, and networking opportunities. "The grant application process can be daunting, but learning from others' experiences can increase your chances for success," says Amy.

For More Information Contact:
Amy Maguire, The Sandbox Learning Company, 336-757-1255
amaguire@sandbox-learning.com