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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Dot - Interview 9 >> Dot’s son has a complicated bedtime routine which, at one time, involved listening to Bohemian Rhapsody 96 times.

Dot’s son Joe was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 7 years old. He attends a specialist Asperger Unit which is on the site of a mainstream secondary school and he is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Helen and Jason - Interview 12 >> Helen and Jason’s son’s speech was delayed but he talked in sentences straight away.

Helen and Jason’s older son,Joshua, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was five years old. He attends the local mainstream primary school but his parents are worried about his education and would like to find specialist provision for him.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nikki and Mark have tried not to create routines for Tyler.

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 >> Helen and Jason - Interview 12 >> Helen and Jason’s son is fascinated by nature and likes bird watching in the local nature reserve.

Helen and Jason’s older son,Joshua, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was five years old. He attends the local mainstream primary school but his parents are worried about his education and would like to find specialist provision for him.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Tracy - Interview 13 >> Tracy describes periods as “a bit of a nightmare” for her daughter and she still gets upset if her periods don’t happen on the right day of the month.

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 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron’s son has eaten the same food every day since he was one.

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 under 6 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron’s son counts the days down until his holiday.

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 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Robert

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 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Rosie’s son doesn’t like it when she goes out in the evening.

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 >> Christine's experiences of holidays with Brian.

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 12-17 >> Mike - Interview 22 >> Mike talks about what his son enjoys doing and how he prefers to play on his own.

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 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann gives Arthur detailed time checks so that he knows exactly what will be happening during the day.

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 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 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui’s son Ben is a ‘born worrier’ while Joe is like Billy Whizz.

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 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui has created extra work for herself by teaching Ben to make his own breakfast.

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 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 6-11 >> Nuala - Interview 56 >> Nuala describes how they have elaborate plans for everything and “simply don’t change the plan”.

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 >> 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.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui describes how mealtimes at her house would seem bizarre to other people because her children all eat different foods.

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.

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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Special interests and routines >> Special interests and routines

Special interests and routines

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Special interests and routines >> Special interests and routines

Special interests and routines

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Daniel - Interview 7 >> Daniel rehearses situations with Jonathan to enable him to take part in activities.

Daniel’s son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with autism in association with hyperlexia when he was aged 4. Daniel has home-schooled his son for the past four years.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Amanda - Interview 29 >> Amanda’s son is very rigid about what he will eat and likes what she calls ‘autism fries’.

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.