In December 08 I went to visit the new school building TreeHouse have recently opened in Muswell Hill.  It was the vision of a small group of parents, just over ten years ago, to provide a school, not just for their own children, but for many children living with autism, which has led them through a small room in an office building, via mobile classrooms to their new home.

This bespoke eco-friendly building is inspiring, as is the sight of children everywhere walking hand-in-hand with their teachers as they go about their lessons & activities.  It's a surreal sight really.  As if my eyes had been opened to another realm and I could see the otherwise invisible guardian angels. 

The very specific individual needs of each child, and the nature of autism which challenges their social interaction, makes one-on-one teaching essential; it creates the strange, but somehow beautiful, picture of each life weaving it's path in and around the others, following their own route, sometimes coming together, often independent.

Most of the teachers are young women, in their early twenties, working the most intense days, unable to let up in their care and attention from the children.  I'd like to think I could do it too, but I'm not sure I could.

But the work of TreeHouse is not just limited to the school. Their great work is to make autism education a national priority, not just something that happens in a Muswell Hill bubble, through research, policy work and parliamentary lobbying.  And to offer all the benefit of their experience and expertise to parents and local authorities across the country.  There's much happening on this front and, while the school places are funded (though even then, not to the extent that would allow the full spectrum of experience that the school feels necessary for the children), this work depends entirely on voluntary support.

I'm proud to live just around the corner from TreeHouse.  Running a marathon seems like a small effort compared to their tireless exertions.  I hope I can raise this money, not just for the financial help, but to say that I am standing with them.

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