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This April, for Autism Acceptance Month, we’re celebrating differences. Every journey with autism is unique and whether it’s your personal experience or that of your child and family, your story can help others feel seen, understood, and supported.

As part of Autism Acceptance Month, we’ve invited autistic individuals, parents, caregivers, and families to share their experiences and were overwhelmed by the response.

Today, we would love to introduce you to Wendy:

Hi there
My name is Wendy Green,mum of Rachel Green who has already submitted her story
This has been a long at times stressful road for us
All started really at playgroup in the early 90s
Autism then wasn’t like it is now
We had a very experienced older teacher there and she just noticed that Rachel was quite happy to play by herself with the same toys every week
I wish I knew now what I didn’t then!
As a first time mum you want your child to do things like every other child and not be different
This was hard to deal with at first
Her speech was delayed and toilet training was a nightmare
She was nearly 3 and hated the whole experience of it
We had speech therapy and went to a hospital where she was observed for basically an hour
They came to conclusion that it’s just her!
We had the usual kids parties but she wasn’t comfortable, but was the thing every parent did for their children
With what I know now I wouldn’t have bothered
Rachel said she hated them and hated all the noise
We were told to socialise her as much as possible, so I enrolled her into brownies
Another thing now she says was horrible and felt like she never fitted in
Everyone thinks your child is weird which is hard to take!
We then lived in North London
At age of 11 we left there to live in Suffolk as schooling so much better
She has 2 brothers
One has learning issues but I I don’t think he is autistic as is a social lad and is in work
The schools in Suffolk were amazing
Rachel was on a statement anyway and her brother was immediately put on one aswell
There were places in the schools at lunchtime where they could go
They both got bullied her brother in particular
Not ever once did anyone mention Autism !
Rachel is an amazing artist went on to get a degree at Norwich university
She ended up living there with a friend
Had 2 jobs John Lewis who were horrible one manager in particular
Then worked at M and S who were really understanding
She did get pulled up a lot on how she spoke to people
This all led to her getting extremely anxious and depressed to suicidal levels
It’s exhausting trying to fit in an be someone you are not
By then Autism had been mentioned, this is when I researched read books online etc
I then realised this was my daughter and my husband
Made me really cry
She scored highly on the test online same as my husband
Always knew there was something with my husband
Antisocial, people always asking if he was ok as always looked miserable
I have learnt so much and can see things in kids now that you didn’t b4
Noise is one of biggest things
Both my husband and daughter wear headphones online and like routine
Has been at times b4 my knowledge extremely challenging
Socialisation and awkwardness is hard to deal with
I am not extremely social anyway and think that’s why have dealt with it easier
Am now 62 and been married 43 years
Loads better now as being so much more recognised
Rachel went on nhs list for diagnosis in Norwich
Was a3 year wait then covid hit
She lost job and flat and came home
She could not deal with general public and all the complaints
I then said enough is enough and paid over £2000 to get a private diagnosis in Colchester
Best thing we ever did
I think you need to label a child to get the help they deserve !
We eventually had the nhs one aswell and the both had same outcome
Since Covid she hasn’t worked but recently we have found a wonderful lady in realise futures in Stowmarket who had been so helpful
Rachel has just got a small cleaning job in town no people and suits her at the moment
She is on universal credit
We tried pip twice and appealed
Pip is a joke for autistic people
Autism is a disability and they don’t realise the mental impact it has
They cannot do what non diverse people can and this should be recognised!
Autistic people have so many qualities including such an eye for detail
I really hope with it being out there now that society can really accept autistic people especially in workplace
Rachel doesn’t want to meet or marry
She has said this from a young age
She is now happiest she has been but do worry when we not here anymore
From me as a parent just accept your children as they. It’s hard but they will find their way with right support
Definitely needs a lot more major funding!!!

A big thank you to Wendy from all of us at Autism Anglia. If you would like to know more about what we’re doing this Autism Acceptance Month, click here.