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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Amanda - Interview 29 >> Amanda describes being exhausted by “being on high alert all the time”.

Amanda’s two children have both been diagnosed with autism. They attend a special school for children with moderate learning difficulties which they both enjoy.

• 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 12-17 >> Mike - Interview 22 >> Mike describes how “you can’t relax in your own home” because his son is on the go all the time.

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 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 12-17 >> Jane - Interview 27 >> Jane: “the loss of dignity of saying I can’t cope with this any more is soul destroying”.

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.