The month of April is best known for the explosion of Easter Bunnies, obscene amounts of chocolate as gifts for children and a magnificent feast to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. To many people April is Easter, They plan, they organise, many months in advance sometimes, Children have the time of their lives, gorging on chocolate, receiving gifts from extended family members, but to me, April is Autism Awareness month.

So to celebrate this, I am going to dedicate my blog for a whole month to families who wish to share their Autism Journey with you. Some of these people have autism themselves, some are autistic parents to autistic children. We have teachers with autistic students and even Bloggers who want share their journey with me, which I am very grateful for.

What a beautiful poem to start off Autism Awareness month with, Emma very kindly agreed to let me use her poem for my series. A beautifully written account of her journey from having that first light bulb moment to diagnosis. It really captures the true path that many of have to walk before we're listened to. Thank you so much for sharing with us I'm really glad that you are on the right path now.

'But, Dr'.

Written By Emma Yeoman

My girl was growing up, life was slowly passing by,
My mind, my constant worrying, wondered why she always cried,
"But Dr, what is going on, why is my girl so sad?"
"Don't worry, stop your panicking, I am sure it is nothing bad."
"Poppycock!" I thought inside, I know something is not quite right,
My girl needs to get some rest from screaming day and night.

My girl wasn't chatting by the time that she was 3,
Other peoples toddlers were having conversations with me,
"But, Dr, what is going on, why doesn't she want to talk?"
"Don't worry, stop your panicking, she was also late to walk."
"Balderdash!" I thought inside, I know something is not quite right,
I can't tell what my girl wants, I can't leave her out my sight.

My girl would never look at me, I never saw her eyes,
She wouldn't make eye contact, however hard we tried,
"But, Dr, what is going on? I think there's something wrong."
"Don't worry, stop your panicking, I have said she is fine all along."
"What rubbish!" I cried inside, I think she's got some kind of delay,
Why won't you listen, it was hard for me to come and tell you this today.

My girl went to a playgroup, but spent her day sat under a table,
She didn't want to socialise, I don't know that she was able.
"But Dr, what is going on? Why won't my girl go play?"
"Don't worry, stop your panicking, what do you want me to say?"
"Just listen", I said out loud, "I know there is something wrong,
Listen to what I have to say, I have been coming for so long."

"Please Dr, please just help my girl, I think she needs some tests,
I think my girl has Autism, and mothers always know best."
"But Mum", he said, "she is a girl, so Autism is quite rare."
"Don't worry, please just help me, don't just sit there in your chair."
Thank you, many thank yous when he finally listens to me,
My girl, on the way to diagnosis. I just want someone to agree.

My girl is growing up and got her diagnosis 2 years on,
My mind, even with conflicting advice, agreed with the conclusion drawn.

"But Dr, you need to remember that parents are mostly right.
We are not panicking when we feel somethings wrong, it's clearly in our sight.
If someone mentions Autism, listen to what they say,
Help them with a diagnosis, don't make them feel afraid."

You can also read more of Emma's Blog posts on her Blog Page:

Our Autism Blog

You can follow more of Emma's journey on her FB page:

Our Autism Blog