He can run like the wind and is a brilliant climber!

Joe does have a few words and songs, but doesn't use them to communicate. Communication takes the form of different squeals and noises that usually mean he’s either happy or upset. When he needs something, he takes us by the hand and leads us to the kitchen, where he squeals until the desired drink, biscuit, etc is selected.

Although he is 5 years old, Joe is still in nappies, as his lack of speech is making toilet training difficult.

He spends much of his time alone.

We want to change all that!

Joe’s mum Lynn is working with him using a lively socialization play therapy called the Son-Rise program www.son-rise.org She has been on two week-long training courses, and has begun to implement the program with great success.

It involves creating a specialist playroom for Joe, then providing one to one tuition and organized play for several hours a day.

The basic idea is to join with Joe in his play and repetitive behaviours, allowing him to lead us into his world. As he acknowledges our presence, we encourage eye contact and basic responses to make the communication connection. We then extend and broaden these episodes through interactive play to lead him into our world.

To learn more about Autism and the Son-Rise philosophy, go to:

www.son-rise.org