EarlyBird was a lifeline to me - an oasis of knowledge in the desert of practical solutions to everyday problems.

Joseph was a difficult baby who demanded constant attention and grew into a very self directed toddler. He would not eat, sleep or comply with any requests and would only communicate his own needs. Tantrums were frequent, long lasting, loud and physical. Our whole life was run on his terms. I was ashamed of my son and my own abilities as a mother. I lost all confidence in myself in every aspect of my life. I felt a total failure. Relationships suffered, particularly with my husband and mother.

The EarlyBird programme gave me the knowledge, skills and understanding of my son's behaviour to start to regain control of my life. I am now able to help Joseph in many different ways and will continue to use the techniques for years to come.

A few months after EarlyBird finished I suddenly realised that at last I was beginning to enjoy motherhood; I actually liked my child and was very proud of his achievements.

I should like to say a great big thank you to the NAS, and particularly Jane and Glenis for giving me the confidence and power to regain control of my life. I have learned to laugh again!
Lynne Gillis, parent

At EarlyBird I learned a great deal about autism and how to cope and live with the day-to-day problems that arise from this condition. It gave me hope and inspiration and confidence in myself and my son. It taught me how to see into my child's mind and understand the underlying causes of some of the symptoms.

I learned how to play with my son and through play to set up social routines and eventually how to get my son talking. I learned about PECS and I am now using this with my son and it has helped language to develop.

I am less stressed and can cope better. As a result my son is much happier (because I am!) and other people have commented on this.

My son has started talking, albeit very early stages. But what is encouraging is that on the rare occasion that he uses language, it is in context and with meaning. His eye contact and social contact have improved no end and this has been noticed by other people, including his nursery teachers, bus escort, etc.

My friend, who also has a little boy with autism, has noticed a difference in me since I attended EarlyBird. She says I have improved no end and seem much more in control and cope with things much better than when we first met. She says I was panicking about Jamie's autism and what to do about it then. But now I have a much better understanding of his condition, I seem much less stressed.

My friend has noticed that EarlyBird is not a therapy like Lovaas but more a parent education and stress relieving course, which arms parents with day-to-day coping strategies and information on more practical therapies and techniques.
Deb McDougall, parent

Brian Webb's grandson has Asperger syndrome. Brian attended an EarlyBird Plus course with his daughter. "I found the course excellent", he says. "I learned so much from it". The course inspired Brian to write a poem from his grandson's point of view, which he gave to his daughter, who read it aloud at the EarlyBird course. Two of the teachers on the course have since taken it to their schools to help other children understand Asperger syndrome.

My name is Charlie

My name is Charlie; I'm different to you
I don't see the world the same as you do.
You see a classroom and I see a chair
I don't always notice what else is in there.

Too much information keeps coming my way
It's so hard to cope with, day after day.
You show me so much that I don't always see
One step at a time is the best thing for me.

Bright lights and loud noises upset me so much
An unusual smell, or somebody's touch.
When you look in my eyes and I'm looking away
I'm not being rude if I don't hear what you say.

I'm not being awkward; I'm just doing my best
I'm striving so hard to be just like the rest.
The times when you think I've not really tried
If only you knew how that hurts me inside.

I want you to like me the way I like you
If only you saw things from my point of view.
Your life and my life both run parallel
Yours seems like heaven, mine's sometimes hell.

Whenever you're frustrated at the things that I do
Remember
You could have been me and I could have been you.
© B.J. Webb. 2007

The following poem was written by Angela Kelly, a parent on the EarlyBird programme in East Surrey.

The EarlyBird

The EarlyBird catches the worm so they say
For this course it seems to be true all the way

A fantastic advantage is who you meet there
Other parents with interesting stories to share

Our children are key to our learning just now
Our aim is unlocking them Oh to know how

The sessions are weekly and start around 10
We sit down with coffee and wait to begin

The presenters are friendly, experienced and bright
Advice here is plenty and evidently quite right

The first thing we learn for ASD is allow
Then moving on swiftly is why, what, want and how

Icebergs, detectives and structure are taught
When you've learnt it its obvious who would have thought

Were making good progress with patience and time
Well get there with maybe some mountains to climb

The course is now ending, were raring to go
To put into practice the things we now know
Angela Kelly, parent