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Hi Marie - loved your story about the swimming. (I always enjoy your posts) Well done to the dolphin boy! We are a long way off that yet but at least my lad likes going in the pool now - so I am hopeful. We had a wonderful summer - my boy went to my works playscheme (with support) and he absolutley loved it. He was so happy that it made me realise how miserable he must have been in his last year at school. I'm determined to make his school life much happier and more stimulating this year. Disappointing that a special school always assumes that the pupils are stupid. I know he's got alot of problems but there is a lively little mind in there - if only he'd tell us about it.

My boy is now swimming alos on his own and under water, however he does swim like a dolphin, hands at his side and kicking , a bit like a diver also, but he is swimming without any floats which is great. I also spoke to a brain injury specialist, (i know autism is not an injury), but she had said that improving his coordination i.e swimming has a link to improving other areas in the brain she said it is a small link but improved coordination opens up other channels in the brain. Just need to try and get him to stop bombing into the pool and soaking everyone.

I have been trying to deal with my sons overeating for a long time and have tried hiding food, having only a limited amount of food in the fridge/cupboards and have charts and symbols and all sorts going on, my son one night so desperate to eat right in front of my eyes took eggs , cheese, milk, grater out and made himself scrambled egg,microwaved it and everything. I kept telling him eating was finished and he just said, i will make it and off he went. He is only 6 and can make himself a dish, it just shows you where there is a will there is a way.

My daghter is 15 and has autism. She spent two years in nursery then went into rece ption class a year behind her peers. Due to her severe difficulties at the time and lack of progress Amy got a place in a speech and language arc with a full time speech therapist. When Amy was 8 years old we were told that Amy would never achieve in school get GCSE etc but we believed that Amy could achieve and her understand was better than professionals were saying. Amy made some progress and went into secondary mainstream which at the beginning was a challenge but staff in school were very supportive and we managed after a bit of a battle to get education transport for our daughter to mainstream. Amy has statement of special educational needs. Now Amy took exams last year and passed all her GCSES that she was put in for. Amy is taking exams again this year with BTECS and is predicted at getting at least 8 GCSE marks. Maths is not good and is only entry level 1 and dycalculia is suspected. From our daughter going from a child with no speech and language to being able to do a level 3 course in 6th form is fabulous and we are so proud of her achievements. I guess my message is never give up hope. My daughter is moderate/severe autism and does have a lot difficulties but by building on her strenghts we have helped her gain more confidence and self esteem to help her believe she can achieve x

my autistic SLD son completed the london mile for sport relief last week! we were me, two daughters, son and his carer - in case he couldnt cope with crowds or waiting but he did fab and was fantastic! then we went to trafalgar square and he independently climbed on lions (usually needs encouragement) :) and we reached our target too :)))) I've put the photo up on our page.
http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/georgialeilaiulenlaco