Story
<p>Thank you for getting this far!</p>
<p>Those of you who've clicked through will know about Ollie's autism diagnosis and the impact this had on us as a family. Initially, it was very difficult for us to accept that our future expectations for Ollie had been completely rewritten. There were no longer guarantees on when, and if, Ollie might achieve the 'normal' development milestones that most children make.</p>
<p>We now fully accept this, taking nothing for granted, instead marvelling at the many small achievements he makes.</p>
<p>Looking back a year, Ollie, aged 5, was still uttering a few words, barely talking in school and would rarely acknowledge, let alone talk to grown-ups. He couldn't write, read, swim unsupported and would sound out his best friends' names rather than say their names...b-e-n!</p>
<p>A year later, and he has achieved so very much...</p>
<p> - we can't shut him up, although we struggle at times to understand what he's saying?!</p>
<p> - he can dress himself and has finally conquered buttons, despite frequently sporting his trousers back to front and his buttons and school tie askew, obviously striving for his own individual style!</p>
<p> - he's reading, which is a miracle for us to hear, and he understands and jokes about the text he reads</p>
<p>- he's understanding maths concepts and knows that odd numbers have no friends!</p>
<p> - he's finally taken to picking up a pencil and now writes legible letters and numbers almost neater than mummy! </p>
<p> - and at the age of 6 and 3/4 he's very nearly swimming without any floats.</p>
<p>As parents it's been hard to decide what's the best support for Ollie's development, yet we do know that a few important contributing factors have had a major impact on Ollie's success...</p>
<p>- Noah because he's a superstar, he's the best role model and brother that Ollie could hope for!</p>
<p>- the superb 1:2:1 teaching support from Christine and Sarah and all the other teachers at St Chad's school</p>
<p>- the daily love and encouragement that he gets from all his wonderful family and friends and YOU, our friends! </p>
<p>- AND more recently we've been undergoing a special treatment programme through a wonderful small charity called BIRD. Ollie's making great progress through this treatment which involves doing a 20 minute daily exercise routine. Since starting the programme we've watched as gradually more and more things are becoming easier for Ollie to achieve, his body and mind increasingly within his control and new connections are firing up within his brain.</p>
<p>As the boys take to the water and raise money for BIRD we see this as a chance to celebrate the incredible successes that <strong>both</strong> the boys have had over the last 12 months (Noah recently getting his Gold swimming badge and much, much more!) ... and fingers crossed Ollie may even make his first ever unsupported swim!! </p>
<p>Well done Noah and Ollie we're so incredibly proud of you both and love you very, very much!</p>
<p>Thanks you so much again, </p>
<p>Vicky and Griff, Noah and Ollie</p>
<p>xxxx</p>
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