Autism has been around since time began, it didn’t just pop up in 1990 as an excuse for unruly children. This is how it happened for us, We noticed about the age of one that Oscar was quite withdrawn and when you shouted his name, he’d never acknowledge you, wouldn’t turn round and wouldn’t make eye contact. So his mum and dad took him the doctors to voice their concerns, so Oscar was checked to see if he was deaf, he wasn’t. When he turned one we noticed that he had no interest in playing, and as he was approaching two the doctors and specialists said he should be showing signs of imaginative play, and starting to put a few words together by now like mummy and daddy, but he was making no effort to speak. So coming up to three the specialist went out to observe him at play in his nursery and their centre when by then, the specialists knew, but couldn’t confirm its autism because they need to wait till he’s older. Coming up to four he wasn’t speaking and we were all getting worried we’d never hear his voice, so his mum and dad by then had been using Makaton for a couple of years, it’s a kind of sign language but more to help communication, they also put mood boards around the house so he can point to what he wants to eat, when he needed the toilet, how he’s feeling etc, he also has his sensory toys like things to squeeze. Just as he turned four he started to speak and loved saying “dancing on ice” which is one of the first things we heard him say and from them, it was like someone had popped a ballon and he talked. We were so relieved I can’t even begin to describe. We realised then he was like a little sponge, soaking up everything around him. So through all this his mum and dad are absolutely amazing, still are, always will be. They challenged him, pushed him, helped him, he loves going for long walks in country parks, so his mum and dad do this every week, the list goes on but what I’m a trying to say is, Oscar didn’t kick and scream if he couldn’t get his way, he didn’t spit his dummy out his pram, wasn’t naughty were his mum and dad said “oops he’s naughty so he must be autistic” it took over four years to get that diagnosis and it’s nothing you’d wish on any child. The main things he loves to do are read, write and draw. Main thing is though he’s well loved, extremely clever, kind, loving, just like his mum and dad and the most amazing little boy you’d ever meet.