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• 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 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 12-17 >> Christine - Interview 21 >> Christine’s daughter loved the part when Thomas was coming into the station to go to a party.

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 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui talks about the difficulties that arise if she tells her son to “get a little bit of toilet paper”.

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 >> 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 6-11 >> Nuala - Interview 56 >> Nuala’s son does not make friendships easily.

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 12-17 >> Dot - Interview 9 >> Dot’s son did not want a clock in his room because each minute is one nearer his death.

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 18+ >> Christine - Interview 20 >> Christine didn’t want to believe her son had autism because he had been misdiagnosed many years before.

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 >> Daniel - Interview 7 >> Daniel discusses how Jonathan will be included in activities but it is difficult for people to understand the support he needs.

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 12-17 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Sam’s teachers have such a good understanding of autism they have helped Rosie to understand her son better.

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 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Rosie’s son has no idea about the difference between 1p and £1000 and if he does seem to learn it, he forgets the next day.

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+ >> Daryll - Interview 6 >> Daryll thinks it would be easier if her daughter had “AS sort of tattooed on her forehead” so everyone knew.

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 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 under 6 >> Jane and Dan - Interview 57 >> Jane’s family want to think of their son as ‘normal’ while Stan’s family are beginning to understand what autism is.

Jane and Dan’s son was diagnosed with autism six months ago. He has a sleep disorder and has some difficulties eating food.

• 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 >> Sandy - Interview 1 >> Sandy found it useful it was to learn how children with autism understand the world by going on a Growing Minds workshop.

Sandy’s older son, Joseph, aged 8, was diagnosed with autism one month before his second birthday. Her younger son, Adam, aged 6, was diagnosed with autism aged eighteen months. Both boys attend a special school which they enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Ciaran - Interview 26 >> Ciaran thinks you need hands on experience to understand the issues.

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 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Jeanine's daughter has benefited from having a brother like Robert but has found it difficult to understand his diagnosis.

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 18+ >> John and Lynne - Interview 47 >> John describes how difficult it is not knowing what his son is thinking or feeling.

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 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.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui thinks that the emphasis in mainstream education is wrong for many children with autism and describes Joe’s struggles at school.

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.