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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Mike - Interview 22 >> Mike’s son has made “astounding” progress at a residential school for children on the autism spectrum.

Mike’s youngest son, Andrew, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. He moved to a specialist residential school a year ago, after spending a year excluded from school because of challenging behaviour.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki now feels that there is no knowing what the future holds for her son, he has made such good progress.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Having a baby nephew has been an enriching experience for Rosie’s son.

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 18+ >> Christine - Interview 20 >> Brian is doing ‘incredibly’ at an autism initiative day centre where he goes five days a week.

Christine’s son, Brian, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome four years ago after being wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 14. He lives at home now after years in a residential home and attends an autism day centre during the week.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Rachel - Interview 8 >> Rachel feels like a swan – all calm on the surface but feet going ten to the dozen below – as she has trained herself to be calm around her sons.

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 6-11 >> Katrina - Interview 11 >> Katrina says “there is hope and we are very blessed because I think they are very special children.”

Katrina’s son, Callum was diagnosed with atypical autism when he was four years old. Callum has been home schooled for the past couple of years after negative experiences in the education system. He is having cognitive behaviour therapy to help him overcome his fears and anxieties.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Tracy - Interview 13 >> Tracy says “its not the end of the world… it’s a life changing challenge”.

Tracy’s daughter, Nicola, was diagnosed with autism when she was six years old. Nicola is currently at a college for further education and will start working at the local hospital radio station when she finishes her course.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki received good advice from another parent soon after her son’s diagnosis.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki and Mark felt ‘overwhelmed’ when they first went into Tyler’s school because it felt so right for him.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann burst into tears when special schooling was first suggested but it has made a ‘huge difference’ to Arthur.

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 has found some things have become easier such as her son learning not to shout at people who are smoking.

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+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui describes how the autism spectrum is not stagnant and children move along it, doing the “auti-two-step’.

Five of Jacqui’s children are on the autistic spectrum and, as they have grown older, Jacqui has found that adult services have few resources and there is no support to help ease her children into employment.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Clare - Interview 40 >> Clare is currently doing an RDI programme with her son after completing a 3 day training course in the US.

Clare’s younger son, Joshua, was diagnosed with autism just before his second birthday. Clare has used various interventions and therapies and Joshua attends a combination of special and mainstream nursery provision.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Clare - Interview 40 >> Clare has found the support from an autism outreach service has helped bring her son on.

Clare’s younger son, Joshua, was diagnosed with autism just before his second birthday. Clare has used various interventions and therapies and Joshua attends a combination of special and mainstream nursery provision.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> John and Lynne - Interview 47 >> John and Lynne recall a funny experience and think that Gavin has fewer tantrums now.

John and Lynne’s younger son, Gavin, was diagnosed with autism when he was 14 years old. He lives in a residential facility attached to his old school and John and Lynne feel he has had excellent support over the years.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Joy - Interview 48 >> Joy reflects on how she is glad her son “is autistic as long as the rest of the world can cope with it”.

Joy’s son was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was six years old. He attends a mainstream secondary school and is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Joy - Interview 48 >> Joy thinks that having a child on the autism spectrum now is easier than it would have been thirty years ago; she hopes that in ten years time, things

Joy’s son was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was six years old. He attends a mainstream secondary school and is getting on very well.