It is World Autism Awareness Week 2020 and today, 2nd April 2020 is World Autism Awarenss Day. We asked our level four BSc Psychology and Child Development student, Claire, a mother of children with autism, to write a blog on her experiences of children with autism.
Autism awareness 
Claire with her youngest sons
What is autism?
The National Autistic Society defines autism as a “lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them”.
A little about my children:
I have two beautiful little boys and two older children.
- One of my little boys is diagnosed with high functioning autism spectrum condition.
- My other little boy is currently undergoing assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyspraxia.
Our journey for an autism diagnosis:
At the age of 9 my son was diagnosed with high functioning autism. The journey to get the diagnosis was challenging. From the age of 4 my son:
- Had temper tantrums that would last for hours after school
- Became restless and was struggling with the children at school
Each parent’s evening, I would have the same feedback that my son was “academically really intelligent, but he lacks concentration and fidgets too much!”.
Until one teacher at a parent’s evening said, “I believe you, I can see traits of autism, but they are very subtle”. Due to this teacher acknowledging these traits in my son and adapting his learning environment he:
- Had fewer major tantrums after school
- Seemed happy again and was sharing stories about his day
My son is now 12 and has moved from primary school to secondary school. During the transition we are trying to raise awareness of autism and support him, and other children, to achieve their potential.
Why I chose to study Psychology and Child Development:
Based on the journey that I have been on with my boys I decided that I wanted to be able to help other children, caregivers, families and schools during the diagnosis and support of autism conditions.
I am completing my course as a mature student and I am really looking forward to graduating with this degree to put what I am learning into action!
You can read more about autism on the National Autistic Society’s webpage.
Interested in a Psychology degree? Come to an Open Day – for further details and to book your place at an open day please click here.