VIDEO: ‘Toy Story’ gives autistic twins emotional tools to thrive

A Disney movie, parental love, and two autistic sons whose connection with Buzz and Woody gave them the language to communicate were all key to formulating a simple but genius idea that could help autistic kids the world over.

As Enda and Valerie Dodd struggled to connect with their twin boys, Eoin and Conor, diagnosed as highly autistic, effectively deaf, and dyspraxic, traditional therapies seemed to make little impact.

With a background in clinical design and research, Enda was used to observing doctors at work and devising tools to make their practice more effective. Applying the same principle at home, he and Valerie spent hours observing their sons, gradually realising what it was that really brought them to life.