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My wife and I  have decided to take part in a few running events this year . We are taking part in 2 X 10k runs plus the Great North Run ( half marathon) this year to raise funds for a local North East Autism Charity. We plan to add a few other events through the year which we will update everyone as we get confirmation. 

The reason that we are doing these events are very personal to us. 12 months ago we started to notice that that our 2 year old daughter Ava seemed to be developing at a slower rate than that of our 2 boys, particularly with in her speech. 

I instantly dismissed this but my wife being the amazing mother that she is really knew that she wasn't at the development stage she should be. So she started to get professional medical advice. She took her to the local GP, Health visitors, Occupational therapists, speech and language and for sight and hearing tests. Very quickly it became apparent after a few assessment that my wife was correct (as she usually is) and this was just that start of many assessments before we got the official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

We have been told that it is very unusual to get a diagnosis at this young age, especially in girls. We both held hope that we wouldn't get the diagnosis and that perhaps as a result of her being a month premature she was slightly more delayed than other children. But we both deep down knew it was coming and prepared for it. 

In January 2020 after almost a year of multi-agency assessments and hospital appointments she was finally diagnosed through a multi-disciplinary team with CAMHS. Although it was a relief to know that Ava would at last be getting the help and support she needs it was really overwhelming. 2019 was the most challenging year for us as a family.

Ava will be 3 on 28th of May and like most kids her age she has good days and bad days and sometimes we do over analyse things and wonder if it is related to Autism or is she just going through the terrible two's stage. She has two amazing big brother's whom are very understanding with regards to her little traits. One in particular at the moment is having all doors closed and lights out (which can be tough at meal times and during homework). The boys however have become accustomed to doing thing by iPhone light :). They are so understanding and are a credit to us.  Ava has come on a huge amount in the last few months and we are hopeful for what the future will hold. Although she is still non verbal she is such a happy and loving child which we understand isn't always the case with children with Autism, so we are grateful for this. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this and we appreciate everyone has a charity close to them but anything donated would be greatly appreciated. We really want to try help not just kids with Autism , but their families, understand and cope with life with Autism. 

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