It is estimated that around 1 in every 100 children in the UK have Autism.

“Autism is a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.” – National Autistic Society

Autism is a spectrum disorder so it can affect people in different ways. It’s a “hidden disability” therefore you can’t see that someone has Autism.

D was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old, he has delayed speech and language development and needs 1 to 1 support in school.

Autism does not define D, it is only a small part of him. He is adventurous, curious, confident, friendly, brave, funny, loving, caring and so much more!

I would love to see the world through his eyes!

To help raise a bit of Autism Awareness, I’m going to share a few snippets and short tales about D from our holidays and travels, that may help to answer the question…

“Why does he do that?“

As I’ve already said, Autism is a spectrum disorder. There’s not a defined checklist or a ‘one box fits all’ when it comes to Autism, but these snippet tales of D raise awareness of some of the common traits related to Autism.

Autism Trait – ” Children with Autism can become fixated on order when it may not seem to have a purpose. For example; lining up their toys, putting objects into groups etc.”

After spending the day exploring in Wales, we bought some treats and planned to cuddle up watching a film together before bed. D had other plans. We weren’t allowed to eat any of the sweeties until he had “sorted” them all. It may not make sense to you or I, but D likes order. This may be quite a time consuming and frustrating trait at times but it is also a trait that can help to develop fantastic organisation skills.

Autism trait – “A lack of fear and little sense of danger“

This trait can cause a lot of heart in mouth moments! From turning around for a second to find him at the top of a huge tree, to discovering he’s let himself out of the hotel room, whilst I was getting him some clothes out of the bedroom, and for a few moments I had no idea where he was or which way he went (we actually had to block the door with furniture on many holidays due to most hotels/apartments having a twist lock on the inside…. They clearly haven’t thought about little escape artist children like D!)
Fortunately D has started to gain a sense of danger but he still has a ‘no fear’ attitude to life which, I suppose, can be a great trait to have! I love the confidence D has for trying new things and being adventurous!

Autism Trait – Inappropriate laughing or giggling.

This is a very strong trait of D’s. He laughs when he’s being told off, he laughs if someone else is being told off, he laughs if someone hurts themselves, he laughs when someone cries (although he is getting a bit better with this and beginning to show some empathy).
Once, we were around the pool in Fuertaventura, a rather large man led on a sun lounger and it collapsed beneath him. The man just lay there with his book (clearly trying to not draw attention to himself) and everyone else round the pool tried not to look over….. that was except for D! He lept out of the pool, ran right over to the large man led on his collapsed sun lounger, laughing hysterically whilst pointing at the man and saying “oh no! Broke…. oh no!!!!” Over and over again