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

Shared by Joana Afonso PI on 2024-07-15 10:40

About the solution

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-

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Eileen Lamb, born on February 3, 1990, in France, is an autism advocate, author, photographer, and social media director. She earned a Bachelor's degree in LLCE from Université de Lorraine. Living in Austin, Texas, with her autistic sons Charlie and Jude, and daughter Billie, Lamb shares her unique perspective on autism through her blog, The Autism Cafe. She authored "All Across The Spectrum" and “Be The One,” and uses technology to support her family. As Director of Social Media at Autism Speaks, she raises awareness and builds a supportive autism community.

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