Lisha is an artist, writer, and mother to two extraordinary sons, Enlai and Lumen. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and her Master of Fine Arts from Central Saint Martins. She is chair of governors at Queensmill School, a London-based school for autistic children. Lisha is ambassador for Flute Theatre, a theatre company which performs the works of Shakespeare to international audiences primarily composed of people who could not ordinarily access the performing arts, including autistic individuals and their families. She advocates for the rights of autistic individuals, particularly within the arts realm, and makes no secret of her staunch opposition to Applied Behavior Analysis.

Lisha and her family participated in the ‘Changing the Face of Autism Research Together’ project – funded by the Wellcome Trust and the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre – which brought together autistic individuals and scientists to share ideas and influence the research agenda. Prior to launching WhatDo, Lisha founded a programme offering classes to children, including art, French, music, and ballet. Lisha is three-time reigning Wrestle-Tickle Champion in her home, although Enlai contests this. She tolerates her ex-husband’s ability to continuously get lyrics wrong (it’s ‘one finger, one thumb, keep moving, we’ll all be merry and bright’, not ‘one finger, one thumb, keep moving, we’ll all be buried alive’).

Keith is a YankBrit (a dual UK/US citizen) who hails from the mean streets of New York (which perhaps explains why many of his British friends complain that he talks funny). He’s a US lawyer (a Member of the New York and California Bars) and an English solicitor with extensive experience in entertainment and media law in London, New York, LA and Washington, DC. He’s worked for the likes of Al Gore (as the Vice President of Business Affairs in the London office of the award-winning Current TV), the BBC, the TV channel London Live, the Discovery Channel, MGM, and Berry Gordy (the founder of Motown). During the past several years, Keith has also built up a niche pro bono legal practice in the area of autism-related discrimination, particularly as it relates to the housing sector. He is a Trustee of the Queenmill Trust, a Multi Academy Trust created by Queensmill School, a world-renowned special needs school specialising in autism, based in London.

Keith has a BA in English & Classics from Stanford, an MFA in Screenwriting from Columbia Film School and a JD from Columbia Law School and, being ever a fan of (continuous, lifelong) education, he is also currently obtaining his Master of Laws degree In Media Law at the London School of Economics. Keith is also the Joint Managing Director of Artists in Motion, a production company he founded with the former Head of Development & Production of Animal Planet International. He is an active and vibrant (and, of course, much loved) part of the Rooney clan – comprised of son Enlai, spiritual son Lumen and ex-wife Lisha.

Lumen is autistic and the inspiration behind WhatDo (including its name). He has a smile and a laugh that could melt the frozen tundra, and enough energy to give the Energizer and Duracell bunnies combined a run for their money. At only eight years old, he is already the king of the trampoline workout, always astounding us with his moves and endurance. He loves nature, buttons, Lego, music, singing, churches, anything to do with water, shadows, looking out windows, and being barefoot. He enjoys watching Disney films, Ben & Holly, and Peppa Pig.

Lumen is resilient, being allergic to over 45 foods and having suffered several anaphylactic reactions. He is also diagnosed with ARFID, an eating disorder common to autistic individuals. We all agree that he is the greatest kiddo, an exceptional teacher, and the cheekiest of all cheekies.

Paul is a photographer, artist, award-winning writer, hat wearer, eBay enthusiast, and obscure facts collector. After receiving a BA in Interactive Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, Paul went on to have a career in the fashion industry. Following a decade of honing his craft as a professional photographer, he decided to pursue more fulfilling avenues with visual art. Paul has been a painter, filmmaker, product designer and sculptor, but it is the medium of photography that has always had the biggest pull on him.

He previously worked in hospitals, as well as spending time caring for severely disabled children in North Yorkshire. He cares for a non-verbal autistic child, creating custom-made toys and implements to help with communication and sensory needs. Paul is well-versed on ARFID (Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorders) and has experience working with the aforementioned child to overcome barriers. 

On the rare occasion he’s not being creative or helping others, he loves being outdoors, eating noodles, people watching, and writing awkward ‘About Me’ statements on websites.