On October 2021 our son Nye, was diagnosed with autism, autism is a spectrum and can affect those diagnosed differently, Nye is on the severe side to each of the main attributes of autism, the most prominent being his communication skills, he is completely non verbal.

As a result of his communication Nye was given the fantastic opportunity earlier this year to attend Busy Bees - an early intervention play based therapy playgroup for non verbal children on the autism spectrum. It’s ran by the paediatric speech and language therapist Marie Sowter and the SEND outreach service in Newcastle.

Twice a year a small group of children based on clinical need are invited along to partake in weekly sessions where they are observed while they play for around 12 weeks and at the end of the course a recommendation will be made as to which pathway to put them on to increase their communication skills - this could be verbal, makaton or in Nye’s case picture exchange communication system or PECS.

The group is not only highly beneficial for the children but for their parents too- parents are encouraged to stay and form a support with each other who are in the same or very similar life circumstances and weekly guest speakers are invited along to answer questions, offer support and expertise- examples may be occupational therapists, welfare rights, toy library, specialist health visitors. Getting to meet other families has been an incredible experience for me, it can feel isolating when you‘re child is newly diagnosed but i’ve been so lucky to meet an amazing group of Mam’s who just get it, understand and are so supportive amd hopefully we’ll keep in touch long after our time with busy bees has ended.

The group is fully funded to run their sessions in terms of location and staff by the NHS but when I asked if we could raise funding for them they said that they are in need of specialist play equipment, particularly a bubble tube.

Along with the proceeds from the raffle myself, Nye and Arleigh will be running the junior great north run on the 10th of September and hope to be able to make their request happen.

Every penny from every donation made will be going to the group, we‘d be so grateful if you’d like to donate, no matter how small it all adds up.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story

Lauren, Aidan, Arleigh and Nye xxxx