Grace iPhone app ‘makes a difference’

GRACE DOMICAN is 10 years old, has a severe form of autism, and struggles to communicate with other people.

Yet despite her difficulties, the pupil of Wicklow-based Saplings School is quickly becoming the poster girl for one of the most important breakthroughs in practical autism support services in decades.

Since last summer, Grace and her mother Lisa have been using the popular iPhone technology to store pictures of everyday objects. The images, which are carried with the family at all times, are then used by Grace to communicate her needs – something she is otherwise unable to do because her condition means she has a significantly reduced vocabulary.