Dr. Tameka Maiden, a single mom, pharmacist and former teacher from Houston, Texas, is launching a new version of her special Teddy Bear that helps autistic and nonverbal children better communicate with others.

The cuddly new baby blue Teddy Bear, named “Auzy Bear”, can help children on the autism nonverbal spectrum and kids with language barriers verbally tell their parents and caregivers when they are hungry, feeling bad, need to use the restroom, and other needs, through pre-programmed voice commands in the bear’s paws and ears!

Dr. Maiden, creator of the colorful Cubby Love Bears line that teaches children colors, numbers, alphabet and other primary skills in both English and Spanish simultaneously, had to recreate her special needs bear due to high-demand that couldn’t be fulfilled with COVID-19 shutdowns.

She designed the new special needs Auzy Bear to be a voice for children who have difficulties using their own and to give families with nonverbal children a tool to help bridge the communication challenges together.

“As a mom of a four-year-old daughter, I’m used to hearing ‘Mom, I need this’ or I’m hungry’’,” said Dr. Maiden. “For children who are nonverbal, trying to communicate those simple needs and feelings to others can be really frustrating. I created Auzy Bear to help ease that frustration and make life, communication and learning something joyful for autistic and special needs kids and their families.”

A limited number of the Auzy Bears are available for pre-order on the Cubby Love Bears website at https://cubbylovebears.com, with expected delivery in, or before, June.

Dr. Maiden, who had hoped to launch the new bear to support Autism Awareness this month, will donate 10% of all Auzy Bear sales to Hope for Three, a local autism non-profit, for the next two months!

Dr. Maiden said while the bear is designed specifically for special needs families, it can also teach little ones just starting to talk how to express their basic needs as they explore their way to independence