Awesome to see coverage of young Mason entrepreneur Jade Garrett, founder of Positive Deviancy, a firm building assistive technology out of stuffed animals for children on the #Autism spectrum. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Jade and she is a dynamic student, leader, and a fine example of today’s super innovative, productive and entrepreneurial students that take advantage of their campus. From George Mason University:

Garrett, who is pursuing an applied information technology degree from the Volgenau School of Engineering, spent the summer working on a toy bear that is also a computer game controller. Designed for children with autism, the plush bear answers several needs across the autism spectrum. For instance, a plush animal is easier for some to hold for longer periods of time than a controller, and those with motor-control issues find the buttons easier to use than a track ball or keyboard.

The bear is named Computer Assisted Device Input Bear, CADI for short, and pronounced “Caddy.” It’s still in the prototype stage, but with the help of the School of Business’ Mason Innovation Lab and the Lab for IT Entrepreneurship, the bear is coming out of hibernation and making the rounds as Garrett meets those in the business of creating businesses for those with special needs.