Guest Post by Sarah Halliday

“Hi Mummy”

“Hi Mummy” he said, looking straight at me, as he walked through the bathroom door to find me in the bath.

I stared back at my 6 year old minimally verbal son, mouth wide open, in utter disbelief.

And then I sobbed……

I sobbed because…well…let’s face it, it’s been a pretty difficult year.

I sobbed because it was the first time my son had said this to me.

I sobbed because of the years of therapy we had gone through to get to this point. The amount of hours spent holding out bubbles and waiting for the ready, steady….. GO!

I sobbed because for other families this is an everyday occurrence, but for us it is so rare.

I sobbed because of the countless courses and workshops and appointments I had attended on how to engage and play with my child in an attempt to initiate speech and encourage engagement.

I sobbed due to the many stories I had heard, and clung to, about when other children had started talking when they were 5/6/7 and at each birthday we were still waiting.

I sobbed because sometimes it’s all too overwhelming. The forms, the meetings, the new therapies, the sleepless nights, the forms……

I sobbed because I’m so tired.

I sobbed because sometimes it feels like there’s a glass wall between us, separating us from my world to yours, and some days I just want to smash it down into a million little pieces.

I sobbed because I saw a glimpse into our potential future, where we could talk and engage with each other.

I sobbed because…..it was such a happy moment for me…. full of hope and promise for our future together.

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About the Author: Sarah is a mother to a very happy, lively 6 year old boy. Charlie was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old and they are still learning everyday. He now has a little sister who absolutely adores her older brother….he’s not so sure … 🙂