A PARENT hopes to transform the life of his severely autistic son and thousands of others with a new communication aid he designed.

Stephen Lodge, of Rother Croft, Hoyland, spent five years developing the Speaks4me computer technology to give ten-year-old Callum a virtual voice.

The computer programme, which works on a handheld device, allows anyone with speaking difficulties to quickly put sentences together using a drag and drop function.

"Talking is a basic function we all take for granted so when you can't, for whatever reason, it must be so frustrating.

"If somebody has had a stroke then they're cognitive functions will still be intact but they might not be able to talk. This will give them their voice back," he said.

"Callum is ten and still does not speak because of his severe autism and potentially he may never talk. We can understand him but other people can't and people can lose patience which is really frustrating for Callum and for them.

"I wanted to design something from the parental perspective knowing what difficulties parents who have children with disabilities face."

Callum, who attends Greenacre School, had made himself understood by using a handmade book of pictures and words.

But the electronic device has over 2,500 pictures and symbols that can be used to create a multiple word sentence activated when the speak button is pressed.

"It is less childish and a lot more practical than having to carry a book around with him everywhere he goes.

"You can also use it to make sure Callum understands something he is learning by getting him to respond to a question using it."

The 41-year-old IT consultant has patented the device in the UK and has already had interest from health and education authorities.

"I am hoping to have it ready in the next month and can't wait to give Callum his own. It is a exciting time for us."