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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Interview 46: Jeanine describes how the diagnosis was given with her son present and she doesn’t know how she managed to drive home afterwards.

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Jeanine's son became uncontrollably angry when he missed Dr Who because they were on holiday.

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Joy - Interview 48 >> Joy describes the first significant event on a train journey when her son became very distressed by a noise she could not hear.

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 6-11 >> Liz - Interview 2 >> Liz talks about having to fight for everything constantly and relies on antidepressants to keep her stable.

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 6-11 >> Liz - Interview 2 >> Liz’s son contains himself at school but has a whole day of tension and anxiety to release when he gets home.

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 important it is for Tiffany to go to university because if not, she will probably remain at home forever.

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 >> Katrina - Interview 11 >> Katrina says the experience has “physically, mentally, emotionally completely consumed” her.

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 6-11 >> Katrina - Interview 11 >> Katrina describes the statementing process as a battle which you live with, day after day.

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’s daughter used to be on melatonin and will wake up about five times a night to ask questions about things.

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 18+ >> Tracy - Interview 13 >> Tracy thinks she and her husband have lost their identities a little although they are strong as a couple.

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 was very upset when a member of staff “tutted” loudly at her son’s behaviour at a supermarket checkout.

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 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron would have liked more information at diagnosis rather than being told to go home and cope with it.

Caron’s son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism when he was three. He attends a mainstream primary school but Caron worries that he is not receiving appropriate support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Catherine - Interview 16 >> Catherine talks about how her daily life has changed and how “it is painful to give up everything that you anticipated for your child”.

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.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Rosie’s son used to put vegetables in his mouth at the supermarket.

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 >> Jane - Interview 27 >> Jane describes how she tries to help her son feel balanced and learn to recognise his stress.

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 understands nuclear fission but cannot see dirt on a plate he is washing up. Attempts to hurry him stress him all the more.

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 6-11 >> Nick and Vikki - Interview 34 >> Nick and Vikki talk about a recent trip to B&Q.

Nick and Vikki’s younger son, Peter, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was five years old. He attends a specialist resourced provision attached to a mainstream primary school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Carolann - Interview 36 >> Carolann talks about Nita’s experiences at university and how the social support was not provided to help her.

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 under 6 >> Clare - Interview 40 >> Clare's underlying stress and negative feelings make it important for her to work part time.

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.