Canadian mother tattoos keyboard to help autistic son communicate
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A Canadian mother, Jessica Fletcher, decided to tattoo a full keyboard on her forearm after her 11-year-old son Hunter, who is autistic and non-speaking, drew a keyboard on a napkin when his AAC communication tablet lost power during a meal out. The tattoo includes letters, emotional icons and an “I love you” key, giving Hunter a low-tech backup way to express himself at any time. When Fletcher first showed him the tattoo, the first word he spelled was “Mama,” a moment that moved many online viewers. The video later went viral on social media and prompted interest from families, professionals and even clothing and tattoo businesses.
Key Points
- Hunter, 11, relies on an AAC device, a tablet-based augmentative and alternative communication tool using words and symbols for daily interaction.
- During a restaurant outing, the device ran out of battery, and Hunter drew a keyboard on a napkin to point out what he wanted.
- That experience convinced Jessica Fletcher that her son could not depend entirely on technology, which can fail without warning.
- She then had a keyboard tattooed on her forearm, adding alphabet keys, smile and crying faces, and an “I love you” shortcut.
- Fletcher said the arm keyboard also allows private mother-son conversations, unlike AAC devices that read messages aloud to others nearby.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong families caring for non-speaking children, the story points to the value of having simple backup communication methods when devices fail or are unavailable. It also shows how schools, carers and emergency responders can reduce barriers by adopting practical tools that make communication more immediate and more private.