A Mum's Journey of Supporting her Autistic Son
This is how my day starts.
When I first noticed my eldest son was different, he was 4.
He received an #autism diagnosis at 8. He’s now 17.
Today, for the first time, he went out with friends—on a day trip to Cardiff.
We live in Swansea. Cardiff is about 45 miles away (just over an hour by train).
A week ago, he asked, “Mum, can I go out with my friends to Cardiff?”
I said, “Of course! Who are you going with, and what’s the occasion?”
He replied with precise details—thought out and excited.
My heart cheered silently. But I held back—I’m a mum to a #teenager, after all! 😉
Last night, he came into my room to play with our pup.
I asked, “Shall I take you to the station in the morning?”
He said, “I’ve already checked the bus schedule.”
I smiled again, inside.
All night, I heard him going to the toilet again and again. He was #anxious. Probably couldn’t sleep.
At 7am, I was already awake, waiting. We’ve spent years building his independence.
I knew he would have set an alarm.
But when he didn’t get up, I gently woke him.
He got ready, then came back and said:
“Mummy, can you take me to the train station?”
(Of course, my heart danced again. He asked!)
“Thank you, Mummy.”
He got off the car… and came back just to say this.
As I watched him walk into the station, tears rolled down my cheeks.
This was how my day started.
A quiet moment. Monumental in our world.
I’m a #mother. A #parentcarer.
I have a son people say “doesn’t look autistic.”
They call him “high functioning.”
They assume he “doesn’t know how to play with others.”
But he simply finds human energy overwhelming—so he enjoys his own company.
He loves maths and LEGO—and excels in both.
Who says he’s #obsessed?
In public, he often seems withdrawn—not because he doesn’t want to connect, but because he doesn’t feel safe.
He is caring, honest, genuine, creative, and smart.
Only God knows the #anxiety and #invisible challenges he carries daily.
Not all #disabilities are visible.
Over 17 years, I’ve learned when to #advocate, when to #empower, when to lead—and when to quietly step back.
I’ve also learned not to waste energy on those who don’t try to understand.
My focus stays on one thing: What does he need right now? How can I support him best?
Though he’s verbal, asking for help hasn’t come naturally.
We’ve spent years practicing that: to ask when confused, or in need of support.
Though he’s friendly, he didn’t have friends until sixth form—when he met like-minded peers.
I walk at his pace.
He leads the way.
Sometimes, I walk too fast, we stumble—so I slow down.
I think of him like a #preciousplant. I try to understand where to place him so he gets just the right amount of sunlight. How much water to give and when—so he’s #nurtured, not #overwhelmed.
This is our #journey. One step at a time.
Today was a big step.
