Launch BrighterBuddy for Autism Support

Help Us Build BrighterBuddy — A Confidence-Boosting App for Autistic Kids

Hi, I’m Bill Murray — a dad to an incredible autistic daughter named Rowan.

Watching Rowan grow up, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges autistic children face every day: difficulty expressing themselves, feeling misunderstood, and struggling with basic social situations most people take for granted. I searched for tools that could help her feel supported — not just entertained, but truly empowered.

I couldn’t find what she needed.

So I decided to build it.

BrighterBuddy is a therapeutic app and sensory-friendly companion designed to help autistic kids like Rowan build confidence, communication, and calm — without ever needing to mask who they are.

It blends structured speech and social practice with calming tools, emotional support, and a customizable digital “Buddy” that grows with the child. This project is personal — and it’s built with love, insight from therapists and educators, and the voices of real parents like me.

Why We’re Raising $30,000

We’re asking for your support to help fund Phase 1 of BrighterBuddy — the most important stage that gives kids and parents access to the tools they need most.

With your help — and by investing my own funds as well — we’ll build the foundation of the app, including:

• Speech Zone – Practice real-world phrases with encouragement and visual feedback

• Social Zone – Walk through everyday scenarios like greeting a friend or asking for help

• Calming Zone – Sensory support, guided breathing, and stim-friendly interaction

• Parent Dashboard – Track progress, view mood summaries, and share updates with teachers or therapists

• Custom Buddy – Kids can choose and personalize their Buddy — from Sparkle Lizard to Chill Cat

We’ve already partnered with a trusted development team and have a detailed roadmap in place. This first phase will bring BrighterBuddy to life for families like ours — and prove how much impact the right kind of support can have.

The Bigger Vision

Eventually, we hope to expand BrighterBuddy in three stages:

Phase 1 – Child & Parent Platform (What we’re funding now)

Phase 2 – Teacher Tools for classroom support and daily progress tracking

Phase 3 – Therapist Integration for goal tracking, insights, and home-to-clinic continuity

We’re also designing matching sensory plush Buddies that kids can hold, stim with, and use to trigger calming features in the app via NFC tags.

How You Can Help



This mission started with Rowan, but it’s for every child who deserves to be understood and every parent searching for real support.

If you believe in empowering autistic kids with confidence and voice, I’d be honored to have your support.

Every donation — no matter the size — helps move us forward. And if you can’t give, a simple share can help us reach someone who can.

Let’s give every child the Buddy they deserve.

— Bill Murray

Dad. Founder. Believer in brighter futures.