H is like any other 6 year old, he likes to play, have fun and do things like go to trampoline parks , climb at soft play centres and enjoy something eat as a treat at a burger place. But for H and hundreds of children like him; these activities can be very difficult or impossible.

H is Autistic and like over two thirds of children with autism, he has learning difficulties too. Autism symptoms can varies lots but for H this means that he is unable to talk, but he does make a lot of shouts and screams particularly when he is excited and these can be very loud. He also has sensitivity issues meaning he can’t tolerate shoes socks and clothing. So most of the time he wears just a body suit vest. In many ways he is a baby in a little boys body, he is incontinent, unable to follow simple requests.

So when H is out and about he often is running around making lots of noise. Sadly people are quick to judge him or even shout at him for being noisy and running around. Some people say “why can’t you control him” “why don’t you put some clothes on him?” Or even abuse and ridicule. One man felt the need to come up to H in a supermarket and say “you are not right in the head you” who does that to a young child?

Autism Parents Together organise exclusive event in soft play, swimming pools and play parks so that the children affected by autism can play and have fun and be themselves without ridicule or abuse. Recently, Autism Parents Together organised a cinema screening. It was noisy but lots of fun but for all the families there it was first time they had been to the cinema. There were children there who were teenagers who had their very first trip to the cinema. Because it had been impossible up to this point. Autism Parents Together, helps children with autism have the childhood they deserve.