In the early days life itself seemed distressing for Iris. She was withdrawn, not speaking and seemed to be locked away behind her books, avoiding all social and eye contact, and not developing language. She was highly sensitive to noise and other stimuli. It was only when she was in nature or left alone with the colourful pages and stories of her books that she could be calm, but because of her lack of speech she seemed locked into her own world. Slowly, I learned how to connect with her by following her interests, seeing the world of nature through her eyes and allowing her to set the pace. It wasn’t always an easy road, but it led to Iris discovering her talents as a painter. When she was in front of her painting table, her incredible ability to focus shone.
She produced art which has moved a wide audience: news of her paintings spread throughout the world, her art lined the corridors of hospitals, calming the patients and lifting their spirits, children in schools heard about her story, and celebrities including Angelina Jolie bought her work, bolstering autism awareness worldwide. It was an incredible experience watching her story grow and the positive impact she had on people’s lives. Our little girl who struggled to communicate was reaching and inspiring so many.
Iris has had over 5 million pageviews across the globe. She has been Published in 4 National Papers within the UK and China Times, Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Huffington Post, German tabloid Bild and many more. She has featured on BBC, CNN, Yahoo, MSN, ABC, ITV and countless online news channels along with TV shows ‘The One Show’ and ‘This Morning’.
Gradually, I found a path to real communication with Iris. And this path grew ever wider after Iris formed a strong relationship with her Maine Coon cat Thula. It was Thula who helped Iris overcome her fear of water, who solved her troubles with sleeping and who led her into playing with others. Thula’s role was life-changing, for Iris and for all of us, and she became an inspiration for others: when I set up The Little Explorers Activity Club for other families in similar circumstances, it was often Thula and our other animals who would bring the children out of their shells.
We share our experiences to show that there can be a bright future, even with a severe diagnosis. Our message – if we follow our children into their world, we can learn, understand and discover that different is brilliant.
Iris Grace Painting 
Your story touches my heart. Iris is a beautiful child and she is your biggest gift in life. It’s never easy having a child who has challenges, but every step you take with her is your blessing. May she continue to be a health and happy angel and may you enjoy your journey with her.
Iris could be friends with Julianna, my 3 year old granddaughter, also with autism. They could parallel paint together!
Iris is very talented for such a young age. Her paintings are beautiful.
What a stunning girl. As a speech therapist I applaud your efforts to find what works best for her. She is perfect in every way, and nobody can take away the light she gives to those around her.
I consider art an “Alternative Academic”. It is fundamental for many people with special needs, including ADHD. As I am one, from childhood to now, a senior. It is well known and documented that learning happens in different ways through the senses. Creative expression and the creative process is fundamental to my health and well being, and for many others. Unfortunately and historically, the arts are the first educational programs always to be dropped nationwide in the U.S.A. Our education is constitutionally protected, in part. Why aren’t the arts constitutionally protected too!! The arts, the “Alternative Academics are never protected in our school systems. Thus discriminating across the board excluding viable citizens the right to learn, by due process, the only way they can. It insures failure. Our brightest and best discoveries have come from the least expected places, nearly 100% from using imagination and the creative process. To deny this education is to insure slavery of another kind. As for Iris Grace…Yahoo!! Out of the mouths of babes…comes the light of the world, in a glimpse.