Zayn was born unconscious. Before I could hold him the midwives took him away and he went into intensive care where he remained for two days. 

I saw him for the first two hours after birth in an incubator. His tiny hands already had needles. I just wished I could take the pain on his behalf. We stayed in hospital for seven days to finish his course of antibiotics. 

I thought that was it and now my baby can get on with his life.

A year on and I noticed that Zayn was not making eye contact and he enjoyed his own company to the point where he would not notice anyone leave or enter the room. I went to the doctors and they confirmed Zayn had severe autism and sensory processing disorder. My world fell apart. I did hours of research. I wasn't sure what autism really is.

 I researched sensory and visual processing disorder.  Devastated that the SPD caused further difficulties for Zayn's brain interpret visual and sensory cues around him.

As Zayn got older I noticed he liked his routines. A simple change in routine can cause Zayn to have a meltdown. He will cry for hours and I have no way of calming him down or comforting him. I feel so helpless. Zayn doesn't understand any communication verbal or nonverbal.

 Zayn also has no awareness of danger and when I try to steer him away from the road he will run into it thinking we are playing.  A simple trip to the park becomes a huge challenge for me, because Zayn runs in front of moving swings. He squeezes under the gates in the park and runs away. So we often go to small park near my house only when it is empty. I have found myself fearing days out. A trip to the local restaurant can lead to a meltdown, and makes me feel so uncomfortable with all those eyes looking at us guessing if I am just a bad mother unable to control her child or if something is actually wrong.

I have found myself slowly isolating my family tired of having to explain Zayn’s condition and the fear of him breaking things in people’s houses. He enjoys the visual and the sound of breaking mugs,glass and anything breakable. I cannot relax  at friends and families houses,or at birthday parties because these places are not danger free for Zayn.

Sharing toys is very upsetting for Zayn he doesn't understand why other children are taking his cars which causes him huge anxiety.

 At the moment Zayn is locked in his body often frustrated and we cannot help him.

 After hours of searching and speaking to other parents and medical practitioners I found out there is help out there for Zayn. There is a therapy that is the most effective tool in helping children with autism and learning disabilities learn basic life skills like holding a spoon and establishing some form of communication. It's called ABA therapy. This has given me so much hope. Getting rid unwanted behaviour like breaking things would make such difference in our lives.

 For parents like myself ABA Therapy is a life line. I have had each and every dream I had for Zayn snatched from me. I only have one dream now and it is to help my son be an independent adult. To not end up in a home so far away I will only visit him for one hour a week, which is what a lot of families affected by autism face today. This programme helps children like Zayn learn the life skills they need. It is also vital to do this between the ages of three and five. Early intervention is key.

The only catch is it is not funded by the NHS. This is where I need your support.  Please give to Tree of Hope what you can. It really doesn't matter how much every penny counts

 

Should we exceed the target amount or if we do not raise enough funds, or if they cannot be used for any other reason, the funds raised will go to the general funds of Tree of Hope to assist other sick children.

I just want say thank you and remember how lucky you are.

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