This has been an uncertain year for everyone. A year apart from loved ones, of plans changed, holidays cancelled, education lost and livelihoods under threat.

Before the pandemic, for those living with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), maintaining relationships and feelings of isolation were already an everyday challenge. Autism affects communication and social interaction. Some experience severe sensory issues and need structure in their daily routines. The pandemic has created an increased level of anxiety for many autistic adults and children in their everyday lives.

Though everyone encounters stress, many autistic people experience it on a more intense level, compounding the difficulties they already face.

Throughout this year, Autism East Midlands (AEM) has continued to deliver services, providing support to families and individuals living with ASC. Individuals like Ryan and his family.

Ryan's story

Seven-year-old Ryan struggles to communicate and understand the world around him. He has few words and will mimic what he hears others say. He has a short concentration span, so moves quickly from one activity to the next. He is very lively and energetic, always on the go. With no awareness of his own personal safety, his parents must watch him constantly.

"We can't take our eyes off him," says dad, Kieran. "He is still in nappies. Given the opportunity he'd remove his nappy and spread the contents about. It's exhausting at times, but I wouldn't swap him for the world".

Ryans diagnosis came just before he was three years old. It wasnt a shock to his parents; they had suspected for a while. But there was little support. We were told to read some books about his condition and sent home to get on with it, explains Kieran.

Ryan attends a SEN school in Nottinghamshire. Ryan's parents, Kerry and Kieran, both work. Kerry's job in a school allows her to have school holidays off to take care of Ryan.

In March immediately after lockdown, Ryan's school closed and Kieran continued to work as a key worker, leaving Kerry at home with Ryan. Unable to take him to the usual places he loved to go to burn off his energy - the swimming pool, parks, and his school all being closed - it was very difficult for Ryan to adjust to the change in his routine.

Kerry became Ryan's full time carer overnight with no respite or outside support. Ryan, unable to communicate feelings of hunger or tiredness, had constant meltdowns. In just a few weeks, they lost an iPhone and an iPad in the garden pool. In desperation they would go on long car journeys to get him to settle.

After six weeks of this, Kerry was diagnosed with stress and anxiety. Kieran had to take time off work. It was a stressful time for the whole family.

The school allowed Ryan to go back for 2 days a week. It gave Kerry some time to go food shopping, catch up on housework, take some time for herself.

For the last four years, Ryan and his parents have accessed the AEM family support hub at Heanor, a regular drop-in session for families living with autism, one of several run by the charity across the region. Despite lockdown, AEM continued support for families like Ryan's.

"The AEM team were a lifeline," says a relieved Kieran. The hub provides a break and a chance to meet up with others in the same boat. Ryan loves going there, too. There isn't enough autism friendly places for families to go - places where you can relax and let your child play the way they want to play.

"With support from Autism East Midlands we have tried new things like the swimming lessons that were available for children like Ryan. We can talk openly with the team about our worries and know that we are speaking to people who understand.

"Lockdown was difficult. But knowing the AEM team were there at the end of a phone or an email, made all the difference on a bad day."

Lee's story

It's not easy looking for work in a pandemic. It's even more difficult when you are autistic. Our employment team works in partnership with employers across the region to improve job prospects for autistic adults.

Lee has been accessing support from one of our employment coaches, whose role it is to make employment an achievable goal for autistic job seekers. For Lee this help was vital.

"This year has been a difficult time for me to navigate and try to keep control of my constant rollercoaster of anxiety and sleepless nights due to having elderly parents and worrying about the Coronavirus," says Lee.

"Interpreting everyday tasks such as reading and understanding job descriptions is a daily difficulty for me. This has been lessened by my weekly meetings with my Coach, face to face or over Zoom.

"I have looked forward to the meetings. They give me a morale boost and hope for my future. Autism and Dyslexia are taxing for me and my Coach understands this. I have found the sessions helpful and they have averted many anxieties and sleepless nights of worry."

Please support others like Ryan's family and Lee, by donating to Autism East Midlands this Christmas and send them a message of hope.

If you wish, you can include a personal message with your gift and this will be written onto a decoration created by our students and families. These messages will be hung on our tree throughout the festive period. Your words will let those we support know that you are thinking of them, both now and as we enter 2021. Your gift will ensure that together we continue our mission of improving the lives of those with autism across the East Midlands.

From all at Autism East Midlands we wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

* Source: ONS Opinion and Lifestyle survey UK, May-June 2020