Aimee-leigh Mahoney

First walk complete

I'm walking for my son Harry-Jude.

I’m raising funds for autism! I’m taking part in the Walk for Autism challenge. I’ll be walking 10,000 steps a day from 26 March to 2 April. Please sponsor me. Anything helps . Walk for Autism is a fundraising challenge run by Autism Initiatives Group. Autism Initiatives Group is working towards a world where every person on the autism spectrum has the support they need to thrive, every opportunity to fulfil their potential and a supportive, inclusive community to live in.

Autism is a huge part of my life, my son is Autistic and because of him, I found out I was also Autistic at the age of 31!

The reason I want to raise money, is not just for funding support for our children and adults but also for awareness and acceptance. There is still such a big stigma towards autism, their stimming isn't understood, being in pushchairs for their safety, still in nappies at an age that is deemed unacceptable, sensory issues, food aversions that makes them a "fussy eater", being non verbal or having echolalia so expecting a child to know how to have a conversation, the meltdowns but thinking it's just a tantrum or being naughty. The list is endless and the lack of understanding makes those all seem like negatives when in fact they can all be supported and have their needs met, to make their life happier and easier to navigate this world. 

My son is extremely intelligent and loves languages, numbers, the solar system, the human body and his favourite TV channel logos and idents. He was non verbal until 4 years old and now has echolalia, which is repetitive speech that he has learnt from favourite TV shows or interests. Yet he would not be able to tell me if he's poorly or hungry or have a conversation even with yes or no answers. We use pictures and symbols to help him communicate his needs and he does amazingly, but this does at times have huge hurdles along the way. We have struggles with regulating his emotions and this can have a knock on effect for weeks. With raising money this would help services fund the support for these children like my son, who struggle with their emotions, their sensory struggles, for occupational therapist, speech therapist, more SEND schools or education support, family and carer support and so much more.