Mother Eileen Lamb implemented a series of voice assistant-driven strategies to support her raising her two autistic children.

Eileen Lamb, the mother of two sons Jude and Charlie with autism and an autistic person herself, faced significant challenges in managing daily routines and providing a supportive environment for her children, Jude and Charlie. Bedtime routines, in particular, were stressful and chaotic, exacerbated by the different needs of her children: Jude's nonstop talking and questions and Charlie's nonverbal communication and sensory sensitivities. Seeking effective solutions, Lamb turned to a voice assistant, after years of research and advice from friends and social media.

Eileen implemented a series of voice assistant-driven strategies to support and bring joy to her family. These strategies include creating a structured bedtime routine, using Smart Plugs to manage sensory environments, and fostering communication and engagement through interactive voice assistant skills.

Using Alexa Skills Blueprints, Lamb designed a sequence of commands that Alexa would follow to guide Jude through his bedtime routine. Alexa prompts Jude to bathe, brush his teeth, put on pajamas, and read a book with his parents. This structured approach helps Jude stay on track and complete his nightly tasks, making bedtime more manageable for the entire family.

For Charlie, who is sensitive to light and noise, Lamb utilized Smart Plugs to create a calming, multisensory space in his room. By connecting Charlie's favorite lava lamp and other lights to the Echo Dot Kids smart speaker, she can control the environment's lighting through Alexa, reducing Charlie's sensory overload and creating a soothing atmosphere.

Alexa became an invaluable tool for Jude, satisfying his curiosity by answering his endless questions without frustration. Lamb also set up a Trivia Skill Blueprint for Jude's birthday party, allowing Alexa to ask trivia questions about Jude to help him engage with friends and family, fostering social connections and making the event enjoyable.

Alexa's integration into their daily lives extends beyond bedtime. Lamb and her husband use Alexa to play music, tell stories, and engage in interactive games with their children. This use of technology helps manage their busy household and creates moments of connection and joy.

Eileen shares her experiences and strategies through her blog, The Autism Cafe, and social media, helping other families facing similar challenges. Her platform has grown significantly, providing support and community to parents of children with autism. Lamb's story highlights the potential of technology like Alexa to improve the quality of life for families with autistic members, making it every day.

Source of information: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/how-a-mom-of-2-autistic-sons-us... |
Contact information: linkedin.com/in/eileen-lamb3 | theautismcafe.com | eileen@theautismcafe.com
https://youtu.be/N18C6BggeTk?si=ZiJwNPWNkZyOZlU-