Lucas Harris has been working with our son, Grayson (4 years old) since May of 2023. Grayson has a variety of medical complexities, including spastic quadriplegic CP, Peter’s anomaly (that has left him legally blind) and he's a multi-modal communicator. Lucas serves our family as a literacy consultant. He is passionate about helping even the most complex, always creative and always thinking outside-the-box to engage Grayson. Lucas's experience as an educator and part time AAC user has provided him with a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge that has supported Grayson. He has made recommendations to help Grayson use AAC, helped provide insight on access methods, communication goals, motor skills and positioning.
Lucas emphasizes the importance of building collaboration through a transdisciplinary approach. Lucas works together with Grayson’s professionals from different disciplines, (therapists, educators, medical professionals and equipment providers) to ensure Grayson’s goals are met. He has helped with IEP goal creation, met with Grayson’s teachers and has provided us a unique perspective with working with the public school system. Literacy improves lives--and with the right instruction and supports, all students can learn to read and write. I highly recommend Lucas Harris - he will improve your child's life.
-Grayson's mom
We met Lucas over a year and half ago when our child was struggling academically and emotionally. He was instrumental in helping us identify where barriers existed, and how to intervene in a neuro-affirming way. His extensive experience in educating neurodiverse students is clear in every session.
With creativity and attention to detail, we have been given effective, evidence-based tools to help our child. We feel so supported throughout this journey. He has a great ability to collaborate with our school team, and has helped us advocate for our child’s educational needs. Without working with Lucas, I am sure our child’s success and well-being would not be what it is today.
-K & C
Lucas is a very caring and kind, patient person who has worked with children and youth with special needs. He respects families and is gentle and compassionate. Lucas works hard to help any individual in any capacity. He has always been responsible and dependable and families and children love him. He is an excellent teacher and gives his all with any person he works with. He is brilliant with assistive technology and is a progressive thinker with amazing ideas. I highly recommend Lucas!
-K
Lucas Harris couldn't have come into our lives at a better time. I had recently removed my 14 year old non speaking autistic son from our local school system. I just firmly believed he was capable of more and that the school system didn't place enough focus on his greatest need, which was at that time communication. Pulling my son was difficult but knowing where to begin this journey was completely overwhelming.
None of the "experts" believed my son was intelligent. No one believed he would ever tackle grade level material. Just prior to meeting Lucas, I was feeling very defeated and feelings of doubt were consuming me. The question, "Had I made a terrible mistake?" had taken over.
Then we met Lucas. Lucas had a depth of understanding and empathy about the issues/challenges my son encounters that no other individual has ever had. Lucas helped me to understand how not unique my son is and that he is just as capable of learning as any typical developing child. My son's education just needs to be approached with the right tools and patience.
When I began this journey with Lucas, my son's ability to communicate with the world was almost non-existent. Today he is an emerging member of the spellerverse.* A modality of communication we found together with Lucas. He is now proving he can do challenging math problems in his head. My son as it turns out has been a sponge all these years, absorbing his world and learning every day.
We are about to take the leap into a more curriculum focused school program. With the ultimate goal of placing my son back into a traditional school program if the right one emerges. Lucas has given my son something he never had before. A true ally, who simply believed he was capable. And the right support for his mom/teacher, so she could confidently navigate the journey.
-T & N
*This references a specific communication approach that is currently controversial in professional communities. I'm happy to discuss my thoughts on S2C (Spelling to Communicate) with potential clients.