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Austin Assessment Family app

The Austin Assessment Family app is designed for parents, caregivers or individuals who want to screen their child for cerebral visual impairment and related visual issues.
For professionals, there is an Austin Assessment Work app which allows for multiple screening assessments..

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Austin Assessment Family app	By The Austin McDowell Foundation
	Features Data exports. Results from the screening assessment can be exported and shared as a text file to email, message or print.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free; paid for other app feature access.
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

The Austin Assessment is a fun, simple card-matching game that screens children for cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Cerebral Vision Impairment is a disorder caused by damage to parts of the brain that process visual information. The app contains a series of matching card games to screen for different aspects of CVI. Following the screening activities, it generates a report.

The Austin Assessment is not a diagnostic tool for CVI, however it is a validated screening tool which can identify a need to seek further assessment from a medical professional such as an ophthalmologist or neurologist. It can be used with children aged 5 to 18 years old. If wanting to screen people younger or older, it can still be used, however it has not been validated outside of this age range.

After purchasing and completing a single screening test, the app allows the user to use it in ‘Game Mode’ – which gives access to shape matching games.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ The app allows a user to screen a child for visual issues which are not picked up by a standard vision test. ✔ After completing a screening assessment, a report is generated with recommendations. ✔ Game mode is available to practice skills after completing an assessment.	✘ Each screening assessment costs $9.99, which may be a barrier for some users.

PROS

CONS

✔ The app allows a user to screen a child for visual issues which are not picked up by a standard vision test.

✔ After completing a screening assessment, a report is generated with recommendations.

✔ Game mode is available to practice skills after completing an assessment.

✘ Each screening assessment costs $9.99, which may be a barrier for some users.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Lauren Hill, Speech Language Therapist, Auckland
Date of review: November 2024
Platform: Apple
Version: 1.6.0
Comments: This is an excellent app. It is simple to use with clear instructions. It has been validated on New Zealand children aged 5-21 years. The main screening assessment is short, simple to use and provides valuable information as to whether to seek further assessment for cerebral vision impairment from a medical professional. After using the screening assessment, a game mode option is available to practice visual matching skills – this is easy to access and engaging to use. Please note, this should not be used as a diagnostic tool and if you are concerned about your child’s vision, please seek the advice of a medical professional.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes – the app has been validated on over 900 New Zealand children aged between 5 to 18 years old.
Concerns: None.

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Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.