Digital health company launches app to support families navigating autism and ADHD
Bristol digital health company Spicy Minds has launched an early access release of a new app, Hazel, which offers personalised practical support to parents or carers of children who have neurodivergent traits but are struggling to get the support they need.
Spicy Minds, which specialises in developing digital mental health products using AI, is looking for parents or carers navigating the autism or ADHD journey who would like early, free access to Hazel in exchange for their feedback which will be used to improve it.
More than 71,000 children across the UK are currently waiting for an NHS autism assessment and waitlists are growing by 65% annually. In Bristol alone, this figure stands at around 7,000.
Hazel offers immediate, personalised support without the wait. Hazel starts with a series of screening tests that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have identified as being associated with, and often occurring alongside, autism. These include ADHD, OCD and sensory issues.
On completion of the screening tests, Hazel uses AI to interpret the results and gives parents and carers a better understanding of what is going on for their child. This includes personalised strategies and practical ideas for adjustments at school, home and on holiday that are completely tailored to each person.
Spicy Minds has developed a complementary app, Rowan, which offers personalised wellbeing and emotional support to adults through AI-powered conversations.
Hazel and Rowan are available for download through app stores.
Spicy Minds emerged in 2023 when founder Ben Cosh found himself navigating the complex world of neurodivergent and mental health support for his own family members. Faced with long NHS waitlists, prohibitively expensive private options, and an overwhelming sea of scientific papers, books and conflicting social media advice, Ben searched extensively for digital solutions that could help. Finding nothing suitable, he decided to create what was missing—a supportive, accessible alternative that would improve outcomes not just for his family, but for everyone in similar situations.
“Through my own experiences, I could see that technology, specifically AI, has incredible potential to help people. Using AI for mental health is a relatively new field, and we are being rigorous about how we do it. This means making sure our products are safe to use and people’s conversations and personal information are secure. For example, we have medical-grade security standards in place. We also have clinical oversight and evaluation on all our apps.
“We are constantly reviewing our products to make sure they are providing the right support for people so we’re excited to receive feedback on Hazel from Bristol families and we are also keen to hear from people about their experiences of talking to our wellbeing app, Rowan.”
The Hazel early access programme is available now and there are 20 places. Parents and carers who would like to participate should email hellohazel@spicyminds.org and they will receive three months of premium access at no cost in exchange for their feedback.
