Lisa is co-creator of Grace App and mother of Liam and Gracie Domican who both have autism. As a parent, Lisa has had 14 years experience of raising her children with autism and has been attending courses and studying evidence based interventions for the last 10 years. As a mother, Lisa fought to understand her initially non-verbal son Liam, and learned to interact with him using the things he liked most. It was the introduction of a simple picture exchange system that prompted Liam to begin imitating and attempting to say the words on the cards he used to make requests.
If there is one thing that really annoys me it is when people who do not speak in audible words are not being listened to. And by that I mean that the Needs, Interests and Human Rights of the so called “non-verbal” are being overlooked. [read more…]
Over the years I have had to explain many times why Grace App does not “speak” for the person using it. Why does the user have to select pictures, then go and find someone who will point, pause and if needed verbally prompt each word as represented by the picture. [read more…]
The IMAGE Social Entrepreneurship Businesswoman of the Year 2013 is an inspirational businesswoman working in the voluntary or not-for-profit sectors, [read more…]
When you use Grace App consistently you might find that the user starts to say single words independently, without needing the prompt. Your joyous reactions should be paired with extra tangible reinforcement: an extra big slice of the “cake” or crisps or chocolate or a longer turn on the computer if that is what they are requesting… [read more…]
