Nuala's son, Robert, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and is now much happier and settled.

Joy's son was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was six years old. He attends a mainstream secondary school and is getting on very well.

John and Lynne's younger son, Gavin, was diagnosed with autism when he was 14 years old. He lives in a residential facility attached to his old school and John and Lynne feel he has had excellent support over the years.

Jeanine's son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

Barbara's son Howard, 53, was diagnosed with autism when he was in his teens. He worked at a bakery for over twenty years, then returned to university where he did an HND in computer science.

Kirsten's middle child, Andrew, was diagnosed with autism when he was two. He attends a mainstream primary school in the mornings and does a combination of ABA and DIR therapies in the afternoons.

Helen's older son, Joseph, was diagnosed with autism when he was 7 years old. Joseph now attends an independent church school after a negative experience in a mainstream primary school and is making good progress with appropriate support.

Clare's younger son, Joshua, was diagnosed with autism just before his second birthday. Clare has used various interventions and therapies and Joshua attends a combination of special and mainstream nursery provision.

Steve and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Steve is studying for a degree in autism using distance learning and has heightened sensory sensitivities and some OCD traits.

Carolann's daughter, Nita, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14. Nita has written a book about her experiences, had some unsuccessful experiences at university and is currently teaching herself Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese.