As Autism Awareness month comes to an end, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the professionals who have been helping us out this past year, following the diagnosis of our child with ASD. I know these people see countless families like ours in their daily work, however I’m not sure they realise just how great an effect their work has on each and every one of us.

I wonder, for instance, whether the staff at CDAU know just how well they helped us cope with the initial shock and how valuable their guidance to us was.

Without their holistic approach we would still be back at square one, trying to talk to a child who appeared trapped in a snow globe.

I also wonder whether the Speech Therapy Department and the Early Intervention Department fully understand just how much their sessions mean to our child, and to us as parents.

It is thanks to these therapists that we can now communicate with our son. A few days ago was the first time I heard the words “Daddy, I love you”.

Finally I would like to extend my thanks to everyone working on the STEP programme at Inspire. Through this programme we are seeing our child grow both socially and intellectually. He has learnt to sing nursery rhymes, count and play with other children. The incredibly motivating approach taken by all staff members really does put a smile on both children and parents.

Living with autism is not easy, anything but. However we know that the uphill climb will be made all that bit easier thanks to our therapists, I mean, friends.