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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Rosie’s son does not see any difference between her or “a complete stranger”.

Rosie’s son, Sam, was originally diagnosed with dyspraxia and then with autism when he was five years old. He attends a special school which has a specialist autism unit which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Christine - Interview 21 >> Christine’s daughter worried when her teacher said she’d ‘have their guts for garters’ if they didn’t do their homework on time.

Christine’s daughter, Elisabeth, was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder complex, ADHD, separation anxiety, Oppositional Defiance Disorder and learning difficulties. She is currently out of school because of the lack of effective support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann describes how Arthur is very verbal and will talk and talk.

Mary-Anne’s son, Arthur, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and elements of ADHD and OCD three years ago. He attends a special school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann gives an example of Arthur interpreting things literally.

Mary-Anne’s son, Arthur, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and elements of ADHD and OCD three years ago. He attends a special school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann thinks it is important that people realise that Arthur does not always recognise people, but it does not mean he does not like them.

Mary-Anne’s son, Arthur, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and elements of ADHD and OCD three years ago. He attends a special school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Ciaran - Interview 26 >> Ciaran describes how, for his son, everything is black or white.

Ciaran’s son was diagnosed with autism eight years ago and also has epilepsy and dyspraxia. He is currently doing a course at a college of further education but Ciaran worries about what he will do next.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Jane - Interview 27 >> Jane finds her son’s ability to argue so effectively challenging.

Jane’s son, John, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He is at a mainstream secondary school and hopes to study augmentation, artificial limbs and electronics at university.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Jane - Interview 27 >> Jane’s son finds it hard if what people say is inconsistent with what they do.

Jane’s son, John, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He is at a mainstream secondary school and hopes to study augmentation, artificial limbs and electronics at university.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Jane - Interview 27 >> Jane’s son got into difficulties at school when the teacher began to find him precocious.

Jane’s son, John, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He is at a mainstream secondary school and hopes to study augmentation, artificial limbs and electronics at university.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Carolann - Interview 36 >> Carolann’s daughter runs out of “tricks, ploys and schemes” after a few hours in the company of neurotypical people.

Carolann’s daughter, Nita, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14. Nita has written a book about her experiences, had some unsuccessful experiences at university and is currently teaching herself Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Helen - Interview 41 >> Helen has found social stories work well with her son.

Helen’s older son, Joseph, was diagnosed with autism when he was 7 years old. Joseph now attends an independent church school after a negative experience in a mainstream primary school and is making good progress with appropriate support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Kirsten - Interview 43 >> Kirsten describes her experiences of ABA and DIR.

Kirsten’s middle child, Andrew, was diagnosed with autism when he was two. He attends a mainstream primary school in the mornings and does a combination of ABA and DIR therapies in the afternoons.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Barbara and Howard - Interview 45 >> Barbara describes how Howard had no worries about talking about the details of his operation.

Barbara’s son Howard, 53, was diagnosed with autism when he was in his teens. He worked at a bakery for over twenty years, then returned to university where he did an HND in computer science.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Barbara and Howard - Interview 45 >> Barbara thinks Howard is marvellous and very affectionate.

Barbara’s son Howard, 53, was diagnosed with autism when he was in his teens. He worked at a bakery for over twenty years, then returned to university where he did an HND in computer science.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Nuala - Interview 56 >> Robert

Nuala’s son, Robert, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and is now much happier and settled.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Bobbi - Interview 30 >> Bobbi finds her son’s bluntness refreshing and thinks he can get away with it while he is young.

Bobbi’s younger son, Charlie, was diagnosed with autism when he was five. He attends a local primary school with support and is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Nuala - Interview 56 >> Nuala thinks games of ‘tag’ and ‘it’ are lethal if you have Asperger syndrome.

Nuala’s son, Robert, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and is now much happier and settled.

• Topic
• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Communication; understandings >> Communication; understandings

Communication; understandings

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Communication; understandings >> Communication; understandings

Communication; understandings

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Communication; relationships >> Communication; relationships

Communication; relationships

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Communication; relationships >> Communication; relationships

Communication; relationships

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Liz - Interview 2 >> Liz thinks that the education system is too inflexible for children one the spectrum.

Liz’s son, Jonas, aged 11, has been diagnosed with epilepsy, ADHD and Asperger syndrome and Raphe, the youngest son, has Downs Syndrome. Jonas attends the local mainstream primary school but Liz is worried about the move to secondary school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Daryll - Interview 6 >> Daryll describes how Tiffany will over-react to events with friends.

Daryll’s daughter Tiffany was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14 and is waiting for an agreement by social services to fund her social care during university.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Rachel - Interview 8 >> Rachel’s son would not get in the swimming pool after the teacher said the water was ‘nice and hot’.

Rachel’s sons, Thomas and Matthew, have both been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. They both attend a mainstream primary school with support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Diana - Interview 33 >> Diana’s daughter means very well but takes things very literally.

Diana’s daughter, Vicky, 37, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 33 years old. Vicky lives independently and spends the weekends with her parents.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Rachel - Interview 8 >> Rachel’s son could not physically stand having her close to him when he was younger and has just learned to enjoy a hug.

Rachel’s sons, Thomas and Matthew, have both been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. They both attend a mainstream primary school with support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Catherine - Interview 16 >> Catherine’s daughters understand spoken language better when it’s combined with signs.

Catherine and her husband have two teenaged daughters, both of whom have been diagnosed with autism. Catherine has homeschooled her daughters using an ABA programme for several years.