Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Global Developmental Delay. Prior to our beautiful son, I had very little understanding of what these terms actually meant. Now they have become part of my families every day language. I understand that these terms have a different meaning for each child and every child experience these disorders in different ways.

I have spent the best part of the last 9 months googling what this means for our son and what I can do to help him. To be with him in his world and learn different ways to communicate with him to try and better understand and meet his needs.

It has not been as easy journey and at times I personally have felt isolated and inadequate as a parent. I did not know how to access the support of families in a similar position or meet children with similar needs to our son and without knowing where to look found little information on local authority websites.

It was only recently when I was put in touch with a charitable service affiliated with the local authority who were able to give us information of local sensory play centres where we could go with our son and his sister. This is a centre where we can meet other children and families and have access to the specialist equipment and toys that would make our son light up. The first trip to the centre was very moving and felt like we had entered an enchanted wonderland that allowed our son to engage, communicate and bridge the gap between his unique internal world and the world as I experience it.

I soon realised that in fact we were not alone and many parents and carers of children with complex care needs often feel isolated and alone. With this in mind I wanted to help my son and also give something back to the community utilising my skills as a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist. My idea is to build a sensory cabin full of specialist sensory equipment for my son and using this cabin offer my services as a counsellor free of charge to parents in need of support during this time that can be overwhelmingly worrying and scary.

I have no idea if this really works but lets try and find out! Thank you reading our story… the short version!