The Struggle That Led to Jam Up!
Rachael never set out to create a digital platform—she was simply trying to help her autistic son navigate daily life. Like many autistic children, he found routine tasks overwhelming, uncomfortable, and frustrating. Something as simple as getting dressed or brushing his teeth could quickly turn into a meltdown, leaving both of them exhausted before the day had even begun.
The Jam Up! Story
Jam Up! was born out of a real-life challenge faced by founder Rachael Malthouse, a physiotherapist, PhD student and parent.
When supporting her autistic son, she saw firsthand how daily tasks like getting dressed and brushing teeth could become overwhelming struggles—not just for the child, but for the whole family. She searched for a digital tool to help, but nothing provided the right level of engagement, structure, and fun. That’s when the idea for Jam Up! was born. Determined to create a solution that truly worked, Rachael combined her expertise in health sciences, research, and technology to develop Jam Up!—a science-backed, engaging, and interactive platform designed to help neurodiverse children build essential life skills.
What started as one mother’s frustration and determination has grown into a game-changing solution for families worldwide.
From Concept to Reality
With support from Innovate UK grants, ORCHA approval, and partnerships with industry experts, Jam Up! has rapidly evolved into a trusted and effective tool for families. The platform launched with a focus on “getting dressed” and “tooth cleaning” tasks, and within its first three weeks, it achieved over 1,000 downloads.
Built on Science
Jam Up! is more than just an app—it’s a lifeline for families. Backed by university-led research, competitor analysis from the University of Plymouth, and extensive market validation, the platform has been carefully designed to be a “sticky” solution—meaning children keep coming back because they enjoy the structure and predictability.
Sustainable & Scalable
Jam Up! operates on a subscription model, launching at £2.99/month and set to scale to £7.99/month as more features are introduced. With parents and local authorities recognising the value of reducing daily stress, the app is already generating traction with sales directly to parents / carers and currently working with NHS and local authority services as well as employee benefits schemes,, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.
The Future of Jam Up!
With ambitious five-year growth plans, Jam Up! aims to expand across the UK and the US, reaching hundreds of thousands of families. Through continuous innovation, research-backed improvements, and a commitment to helping neurodiverse children thrive, Jam Up! is set to become the go-to digital platform for life skills development.
The Jamup.io App is now available for download on Apple and Google.
What does Jam Up! do?
– Assists autistic children aged 5-14 in completing everyday tasks using digital play.
– Offers customisable tasks to ensure children can be supported whilst keeping to their usual routine.
– Provides educational videos and daily tips enabling parents / carers to promote their child’s independence
