Clément is a strapping 12 years old french boy living in England. He was diagnosed with ASD aged one and half years old. Since, with the love and care of special individuals around him he is overcoming his handicap. Clément was non verbal until the age of 8. Uttering only a few words. He is now bilingual french/english and converse and understand in both languages. He still has a long way to go, but his progress are steady and continuous. His kindness to others knows no boundaries. When he smiles he lights up the world. His success was dependent on my ability to understand and communicate with him. So I went to research and learn everything I could about Autism and how to deal with him. I educated myself so in turn I could help him and gather around individuals that I know would assist. The intelligence of people is to first recognise that they do not have the required knowledge and therefore need to go the extra mile to acquire that knowledge. Patience, perseverance, courage, kindness, positiveness are qualities that I needed to develop even further to an extreme to be able to support him.
An autism story is not just about the sufferer but it is also about the people that surrounds him. All the sacrifices made, the tears shed, the relentness are rewarded with a simple smile, a hug, a kiss.
To all the people out there, caring and loving a person with autism, do not give up. You cannot afford to give up. You must carry on and just as I am you will find yourself eventually in a good place where the love that you have for one another will be all that prevails and will conquer mountains.
I am able and willing to help anyone that have the need for it. Whether for advice or simply a shoulder to cry on.
But you must believe and have hope, as without hope and belief there is no salvation.
Many thanks for reading our story.
London, United Kingdom