TeachTown a service for autistic children

What: Seattle-based TeachTown

Who: Chris Whalen, founder and chief science officer

What it does: Sells a computer-based treatment program for children with autism that includes online and offline activities and video-game technology.

Employees: Seven

A grad-school idea: Whalen on working with children with autism: "I noticed that they were highly motivated and seemed to learn very well using the computer," she said. "But trying to keep track of all the data and notes and information about a child was cumbersome and difficult."

Next step: In 2001, she brought the idea to Lars Liden, who has developed artificial-intelligence software for computer games. They gathered a group and began working on a prototype.

The debut: The first product from TeachTown came out in March. Called "TeachTown: Basics," it's aimed at children who are developmentally in the 2- to 7-year-old age range. The "Basics" product offers on-computer learning, off-computer natural activities, data tracking and progress reports and allows adults working with the child to send notes to each other.

On the screen: Children who pass a computer challenge are rewarded with a simple video game to play, like popping the bubbles in virtual bubble wrap. The program is a subscription service that requires an initial software install and costs $60 a month.

Early sales promise: So far, TeachTown has signed up 200 parent subscribers, 10 schools and five clinics, Whalen said. About twice as many are testing the program in a free trial. "Phones are ringing off the hook," she said.

Seeking grants: The company has received $1.5 million from angel investors and research grants, and has applied for $900,000 more in grants. Part of the money will go to developing another product targeting 6- to 13-year-olds. TeachTown isn't profitable but hopes to break even by next March, Whalen said.

Autism on the rise: Autism is increasing worldwide at a fast rate, Whalen said. "The difficult part is that there's not enough resources out there to serve all of these children," she said. "Schools are in a difficult position because they don't have enough resources to handle this."

— Kim Peterson