ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the experiences of the mother of a young autistic boy at home and during her encounters with the education system. It describes her own experiences of bringing up her son, the way in which she taught him to communicate, her and her son’s relationships with the various professionals, including teachers, they encountered, and the lessons she learnt along the way. Entitlement in law is not always synonymous with experience in practice. Autistic spectrum disorder has been identified as among the most common primary areas of special educational need in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools. The chapter concludes with the mother’s personal recommendations for practices that will enable many autistic children to be more effectively included in schools, and their families to be more confident that their children will have the opportunity to thrive, grow and enjoy enhanced life experiences.
