AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Living with autism: How one Teesside family coped with condition affecting their daughter Charlotte
With new TV show “The A Word” soon to be hitting our screens the plight of families struggling to come to terms with an Autism diagnosis is being brought to the fore.
Starring Dr Who actor Christopher Eccleston the BBC One drama will look at how the Hughes family manages life with an autistic child. But while the moving production will only last for six episodes, living with autism is an everyday reality for thousands of families across Teesside.
We speak to one mum about her journey from devastating diagnosis to seeing her daughter flourish with the right help and support.
When Stockton mum Mandy Winter started noticing that her beautiful baby, Charlotte Hunt, wasn’t responding to sounds she asked for medical help, but instead of a simple diagnosis of a childhood condition the mum-of-two was given the difficult news that her only daughter had autism.
“Charlotte was just two when we got the diagnosis,” Mandy explained.
“She was a great baby. She didn’t cry a lot and because I already had her brother I was comparing the two and I didn’t really notice any differences. Except for what I thought was a hearing problem.
“I could make a big noise behind her and she wouldn’t react. I could call her name and there would be no response. But if she was in one room and there was music in another she would start dancing.
“I think in my heart I knew there was something going on then but I kept desperately wishing and hoping that it would just be her hearing. I remember thinking, ‘if it’s her hearing we can fix it with gromits… if it’s something else… I don’t know what I will do.’”
After visiting her own doctor Mandy, from Hardwick, was referred to a paediatric specialist at North Tees Hospital.
“I sat with one doctor and another played with Charlotte on the floor. Within two hours we left knowing that she had autism. She was two-and-a-half and I wondered what the future held for her.
“I went home and straight to the library but back then there wasn’t a lot of information available. I got one book out, that has now been widely discredited, suggesting children with autism ‘become’ like that due to a lack of love from their parents. I knew that wasn’t true. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for my kids. I was a stay-at-home mum living every day just for them. But it was hard to get answers and the help I desperately needed.”
Charlotte was able to access a nursery for children with similar needs and when it was time to begin her education she was given a place at a local special education school.
Mandy said: “It was fine at first but as she got older it became more difficult to help Charlotte. Her behaviour at times could be very hard to handle. She would often hit out and even scratch others. Not to mention the fact she hated wearing normal clothes.”
Due to sensory issues, which is a common trait in autism, Charlotte didn’t like the feel of clothes on her skin. The only things she would wear had to be tight.
“It seems funny if you tell the story that your daughter would eventually only wear a swimming costume but I was at my wit’s end. Eventually I was sending her to school in her swim suit just waiting for a phone call about her behaviour.
“It was a really hard time. It wasn’t as if I could sit her down and reason with her. Along with her autism is epilepsy and severe learning difficulties. She struggles with communication as well so I was at a loss how to make her happy and settled.”
They couldn’t see a future for my girl. We needed a breakthrough
When behaviour issues escalated Mandy was referred to yet another specialist but instead of help she was left deflated.
“I can’t help your daughter, she said, “I can only help the children I believe I can make a difference with.”
Those were the crushing words given when Mandy needed help most.
“I know that was only one person’s opinion,” she said, “but it broke my heart. Thank God there were others who knew better.”
Around that time, when Charlotte was age 10, it was suggested to Mandy that Charlotte may benefit from some time in a special residential unit in Prudhoe.
“After just a few weeks the difference in Charlotte was amazing. They worked really hard with her to assess her sensory needs and helped her with her clothing issues. She was so happy and calm. It made me wonder if there was more help like that available.
“It was then that the doctor from the unit referred Charlotte to the North East Autism Society.”
Supporting children, young people, adults and their families for 35 years, the North East Autism Society (NEAS) provided a beacon of light for Mandy. Offering specialist purpose- built schools, residential accommodation, short breaks and then vocational training and education for adults, Mandy was introduced to the team from NEAS at just the right time.
“When I saw the school where Charlotte would go, I couldn’t believe it. It was fantastic. Facilities were good but what really struck me was the staff. They were all so enthusiastic and so knowledgeable about autism. I remember thinking that Charlotte wouldn’t be a burden there.”
When Charlotte was 11 she was eventually awarded the care package needed to secure a place at Thornhill Park School and also Braemar Children’s residential home, both in Sunderland.
Mandy added: “My mother’s instinct was conflicted because although I didn’t want her to go I knew it was the best place for her. Really, for Charlotte at that time, there was nothing suitable on my doorstep.
“When she turns 19 though, she will be leaving children’s services and we are just praying that she will given the right care package to make sure she stays with NEAS.”
Now, a vibrant, confident 18-year-old, mum believes the difference in her daughter is ‘miraculous.’
“From a little girl who was aggressive and so anxious she couldn’t even wear clothes, to this bubbly teenager who can visit me at home each weekend, who loves dancing to her music and can even go to the ice cream van on her own. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
“At her last school report I learned that Charlotte has been making shabby chic furniture as part of her work experience programme. I had to read it twice because it was more than I could ever have imagined for her. Work experience – for the girl who was once written off!
“The staff at her school and in her home love her like one of their own. What more could I ask for? Really, the difference in my girl is miraculous. Thank God for the people at the North East Autism Society who have always believed my Charlotte has hope. When I’ve struggled to see a future for her they’ve always come up with another idea to get the most out of her. I’ve now got quality of life and a proper mother-daughter relationship with my girl.”
Aside from shopping and listening to her beloved One Direction, Charlotte loves to spend her weekends at Daisy Chain farm in Norton. The specialist centre exists to provide a safe space for families with autism, and both Daisy Chain and NEAS are part of a nationwide group of autism charities called the Autism Alliance.
Mandy said: “We’re at the stage now Charlotte can come home at weekends and she absolutely loves to go to Daisy Chain every weekend. She has her set routine but to see her loving life and thriving is just amazing.
“I would encourage other parents to keep pushing to get the right help. It is out there, and it is worth fighting for.”
SOURCE (With Images): http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/living-autism-how-one-teesside-10523409
Living with autism: How one Teesside family coped with condition affecting their daughter Charlotte
With new TV show “The A Word” soon to be hitting our screens the plight of families struggling to come to terms with an Autism diagnosis is being brought to the fore.
Starring Dr Who actor Christopher Eccleston the BBC One drama will look at how the Hughes family manages life with an autistic child. But while the moving production will only last for six episodes, living with autism is an everyday reality for thousands of families across Teesside.
We speak to one mum about her journey from devastating diagnosis to seeing her daughter flourish with the right help and support.
When Stockton mum Mandy Winter started noticing that her beautiful baby, Charlotte Hunt, wasn’t responding to sounds she asked for medical help, but instead of a simple diagnosis of a childhood condition the mum-of-two was given the difficult news that her only daughter had autism.
“Charlotte was just two when we got the diagnosis,” Mandy explained.
“She was a great baby. She didn’t cry a lot and because I already had her brother I was comparing the two and I didn’t really notice any differences. Except for what I thought was a hearing problem.
“I could make a big noise behind her and she wouldn’t react. I could call her name and there would be no response. But if she was in one room and there was music in another she would start dancing.
“I think in my heart I knew there was something going on then but I kept desperately wishing and hoping that it would just be her hearing. I remember thinking, ‘if it’s her hearing we can fix it with gromits… if it’s something else… I don’t know what I will do.’”
After visiting her own doctor Mandy, from Hardwick, was referred to a paediatric specialist at North Tees Hospital.
“I sat with one doctor and another played with Charlotte on the floor. Within two hours we left knowing that she had autism. She was two-and-a-half and I wondered what the future held for her.
“I went home and straight to the library but back then there wasn’t a lot of information available. I got one book out, that has now been widely discredited, suggesting children with autism ‘become’ like that due to a lack of love from their parents. I knew that wasn’t true. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for my kids. I was a stay-at-home mum living every day just for them. But it was hard to get answers and the help I desperately needed.”
Charlotte was able to access a nursery for children with similar needs and when it was time to begin her education she was given a place at a local special education school.
Mandy said: “It was fine at first but as she got older it became more difficult to help Charlotte. Her behaviour at times could be very hard to handle. She would often hit out and even scratch others. Not to mention the fact she hated wearing normal clothes.”
Due to sensory issues, which is a common trait in autism, Charlotte didn’t like the feel of clothes on her skin. The only things she would wear had to be tight.
“It seems funny if you tell the story that your daughter would eventually only wear a swimming costume but I was at my wit’s end. Eventually I was sending her to school in her swim suit just waiting for a phone call about her behaviour.
“It was a really hard time. It wasn’t as if I could sit her down and reason with her. Along with her autism is epilepsy and severe learning difficulties. She struggles with communication as well so I was at a loss how to make her happy and settled.”
They couldn’t see a future for my girl. We needed a breakthrough
When behaviour issues escalated Mandy was referred to yet another specialist but instead of help she was left deflated.
“I can’t help your daughter, she said, “I can only help the children I believe I can make a difference with.”
Those were the crushing words given when Mandy needed help most.
“I know that was only one person’s opinion,” she said, “but it broke my heart. Thank God there were others who knew better.”
Around that time, when Charlotte was age 10, it was suggested to Mandy that Charlotte may benefit from some time in a special residential unit in Prudhoe.
“After just a few weeks the difference in Charlotte was amazing. They worked really hard with her to assess her sensory needs and helped her with her clothing issues. She was so happy and calm. It made me wonder if there was more help like that available.
“It was then that the doctor from the unit referred Charlotte to the North East Autism Society.”
Supporting children, young people, adults and their families for 35 years, the North East Autism Society (NEAS) provided a beacon of light for Mandy. Offering specialist purpose- built schools, residential accommodation, short breaks and then vocational training and education for adults, Mandy was introduced to the team from NEAS at just the right time.
“When I saw the school where Charlotte would go, I couldn’t believe it. It was fantastic. Facilities were good but what really struck me was the staff. They were all so enthusiastic and so knowledgeable about autism. I remember thinking that Charlotte wouldn’t be a burden there.”
When Charlotte was 11 she was eventually awarded the care package needed to secure a place at Thornhill Park School and also Braemar Children’s residential home, both in Sunderland.
Mandy added: “My mother’s instinct was conflicted because although I didn’t want her to go I knew it was the best place for her. Really, for Charlotte at that time, there was nothing suitable on my doorstep.
“When she turns 19 though, she will be leaving children’s services and we are just praying that she will given the right care package to make sure she stays with NEAS.”
Now, a vibrant, confident 18-year-old, mum believes the difference in her daughter is ‘miraculous.’
“From a little girl who was aggressive and so anxious she couldn’t even wear clothes, to this bubbly teenager who can visit me at home each weekend, who loves dancing to her music and can even go to the ice cream van on her own. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
“At her last school report I learned that Charlotte has been making shabby chic furniture as part of her work experience programme. I had to read it twice because it was more than I could ever have imagined for her. Work experience – for the girl who was once written off!
“The staff at her school and in her home love her like one of their own. What more could I ask for? Really, the difference in my girl is miraculous. Thank God for the people at the North East Autism Society who have always believed my Charlotte has hope. When I’ve struggled to see a future for her they’ve always come up with another idea to get the most out of her. I’ve now got quality of life and a proper mother-daughter relationship with my girl.”
Aside from shopping and listening to her beloved One Direction, Charlotte loves to spend her weekends at Daisy Chain farm in Norton. The specialist centre exists to provide a safe space for families with autism, and both Daisy Chain and NEAS are part of a nationwide group of autism charities called the Autism Alliance.
Mandy said: “We’re at the stage now Charlotte can come home at weekends and she absolutely loves to go to Daisy Chain every weekend. She has her set routine but to see her loving life and thriving is just amazing.
“I would encourage other parents to keep pushing to get the right help. It is out there, and it is worth fighting for.”
SOURCE (With Images): http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/living-autism-how-one-teesside-10523409
